- Manchester City and Arsenal set for another title fight
- Plenty of competition for top-four places
- Recommended bet: Tottenham to finish in top four

Finishing in the top four in the Premier League is a key target for several clubs at the start of the season but with competition at the top of the table always intense, some of the big boys will inevitably miss out on securing a Champions League spot.

Last season, champions Manchester City won the title for the fourth time in a row, finishing two points ahead of runners-up Arsenal, while Liverpool were third, a further seven points adrift.

Aston Villa surprised plenty to come home fourth and take the final Champions League place and all four clubs will again have eyes on ending the campaign in the top four.

City and Arsenal set for another title scrap

For the past two years, City and Arsenal have battled for the title with Pep Guardiola's men coming out on top thanks to their supreme end-of-season form.

And it would be a major surprise if the Gunners and City were not in the top two once again come next spring.

Arsenal may be ready to finally end their long wait for the Premier League title by turning the tables on City and finishing top, although another fight to the finish could be on the cards, such is the quality in both squads.

Rivals line up for top-four fight

With two of the four Champions League places expected to be filled by last season's top two again, that leaves as many as six clubs competing for the other two places with Liverpool, Villa, Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea and even Newcastle all having top-four ambitions in 2024-25.

Tottenham may emerge as the next best behind City and the Gunners this season as Ange Postecoglou looks to build on last season's fifth-place finish.

Spurs appear to have recruited well over the summer with Dominic Solanke arriving from Bournemouth after hitting 19 league goals last season, and the striker could help inspire them to finish in the top four.

There are question marks over Liverpool going into the new campaign as they prepare for a new era under the guidance of Arne Slot following Jurgen Klopp's decision to quit.

The Reds have looked good in pre-season, beating both Arsenal and Manchester United, but a lack of transfer activity is a concern.

With Chelsea and United, in particular, very active in the transfer window, Liverpool's place in the top four could come under serious threat, although there is still a very strong first-team core at Anfield with Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah among their star men.

Villa could struggle to live up to last season as they attempt to juggle a first-ever Champions League campaign alongside domestic duties, while Newcastle will hope to improve on last term's seventh-place finish but bridging the gap to the top four looks too much of a stretch for Eddie Howe's Magpies.

Prediction

Arsenal and City should once again be in the top two, while Tottenham can make the jump from fifth to third. Liverpool should be able to hold off the challenge from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Villa to secure the final Champions League spot.

Back Tottenham to finish in the top four at 2/1 with LiveScore Bet.