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Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has boldly claimed that Liverpool and Manchester United will finish outside the Premier League Top 4. He has backed his former side and Aston Villa to join Manchester City and Arsenal at the top end of the table.
Speaking to OLBG, Gallas said he is sure Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea will finish in the top 4 this season. He added that Liverpool and Manchester United are struggling this season, and that will see Aston Villa sneak the final UEFA Champions League place. He said (via Metro):
"I’m sure Arsenal will be there, Man City will be there, Chelsea will be there. Now the fourth one, right now Liverpool, they are struggling. Manchester United as well. Maybe Aston Villa because they look very strong, especially after what they did against Arsenal. So, yeah, I think I will go for Aston Villa. [My top-four prediction is] Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea, Aston Villa."
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Arsenal are on top of the table with a five-point gap over Manchester City, who have a game in hand. Maresca's side and Aston Villa make up the top 4, with the Blues sitting fourth with 28 points and Unai Emery's side at third with 30 points.
Chelsea cannot win Premier League title this season, claims John Obi Mikel
Former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel ruled Enzo Maresca's side out of the Premier League title race in October. He claimed that they cannot do well with the current defenders, and it would cost them in the long run this season.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel said that Arsenal are the perfect example of how to lead a title charge and said:
“The way we conceded the last goal was just absolutely awful defending. Awful defending. And you know, I mentioned it so many times, we can’t win. We just don’t have good enough defenders. We don’t have good enough defenders. The defenders that we have right now, the centre-backs that we have right now, we can’t win the Premier League with those centre-backs. We can’t win the Premier League."
“And you can see it with Arsenal, isn’t it? Defenders, win you the title. Yes, the strikers win games, but defenders do win you the title. Defenders win you the league. And now Arsenal have conceded just three goals in the Premier League in nine games."
The Blues have conceded 15 goals in the Premier League this season, while Arsenal have conceded 10 in their 16 matches.
