Michael Owen has predicted that the next Premier League season will finish with the same four teams in the Champions League spots.
One and two stays the same according to the former Liverpool striker, with Chelsea and Tottenham swapping places.
It would mean both Man United and Arsenal missing out on the Champions League again but Owen thinks Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will pip Arsenal to fifth.
West Ham will have surpassed expectations if they finish seventh, while Owen tips Norwich, Sheffield United and Bournemouth for relegation.
Writing in his blog for BetVictor, Owen said of Man City: “City will miss the presence around the dressing room of skipper Vincent Kompany this season, but they remain the team to beat although they picked up a meagre 98 points last season compared to their century in the previous campaign!
“Kevin de Bruyne missed long periods through injury last season and his return to full fitness allied to the acquisition of club-record signing, Spanish holding midfielder, Rodri makes the City midfield better than ever.”
Improvements the key
Some Liverpool fans might take umbrage at this, coming from Owen especially, but we think most will be pragmatic about the chances of their side in the coming season.
Put simply, Man City were a bit better than Liverpool last season, close as the title race was. And while Liverpool have stuck this summer, Pep Guardiola has turned the screw and added Rodri to his squad.
The 23-year-old Spain international signed for £63m and makes the Man City midfield even better.
Man City struggled when Fernandinho was out of the side last season but Rodri is his heir apparent and the Spaniard could see the Brazilian getting less game time in the 19/20 campaign.
Tif Tactics – Rodri at the heart of Pep’s masterplan
Rodri is an intelligent and physical player who should fit into the Man City team perfectly.
His numbers [wyscout.com] from last season were phenomenal – 94.09 total actions per 90 minutes (78.2% successful), 64.36 passes per 90 (93.4% accurate) and 4.15 long passes per 90 (73.1% accurate).
These match up with Fernandinho’s almost perfectly. The Brazilian had 95.59 total actions (75.9% successful), 68.4 passes (89.5% accurate) and 5.91 long passes (60.7% accurate).
With Kevin de Bruyne back as well (he’s expected to start on Sunday in the Community Shield), Man City should just have too much for Liverpool over the season.
Rodri heatmap
Fernandinho heatmap