Michael Owen believes Tottenham will finish outside of the Premier League’s top four positions after moving to the Wembley Stadium.
Spurs have relocated to Wembley for the entire 2017-18 season as they wait for construction to finish on their new stadium, which is taking place on their previous ground at White Hart Lane.
Speaking to BT Sport 2’s live coverage of the 2017-18 Champions League draw (broadcast at 4.30pm on Thursday), former England international Owen claimed that Spurs will miss out on a top-four slot come May 2018.
“I believe Spurs will finish outside the top four of the Premier League because they are playing at Wembley,” Owen said.
“When other players come to Wembley, they play like they’re playing at a final and I feel that Spurs will struggle to do as well as they did last year because of that.”
Spurs have a dismal record at the home of English football, losing eight of their 11 outings at the new Wembley Stadium after suffering a last-gasp 2-1 loss to last season’s Premier League title rivals Chelsea.
Their poor form even saw Spurs struggle in the Champions League last season, winning only one of their three home games before being knocked out of the Europa League by Gent as they played their European matches at Wembley.
Tottenham could improve their record slightly on Sunday afternoon when they play host to Sean Dyche’s Burnley at Wembley.
OPINION
Tottenham should finish in the top four of the Premier League with ease and re-qualify for the Champions League, but their lack of signings and Wembley form combined could see the north London giants struggle to replicate the kind of form that saw them rival Chelsea for the Premier League title last time around. Spurs could still do with adding a central midfielder, an attacker and a back-up striker to Harry Kane this summer, as well as ridding themselves of their Wembley hoodoo if they are to go close to sitting at the top of the pile once again. Spurs should finish in the top four, but they will face strong competition from Chelsea and Manchester United come the end of the season.