TEDDY SHERINGHAM tips old clubs Manchester United and Tottenham for a dramatic contrast in fortunes this season.
The former England striker has predicted the Premier League top four for the coming season.
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And he has also explained why he reckons some big clubs, like Chelsea and Liverpool under new managers, face disappointment.
Sheringham played for Nottingham Forest, Spurs twice, the Red Devils, Portsmouth and West Ham and Colchester in a 25-year playing career that ended aged 42 in 2008.
And fans might be surprised by two of the clubs he expects to finish in Champions League qualification spots.
Sheri, 58, won’t shock many by reckoning Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will win a record fifth successive Prem crown.
And he’s also hardly sticking his neck out by suggesting Arsenal will end up in second place for the third term in a row.
But it’s Sheringham’s verdict on the hits and misses below runners-up spot that could raise eyebrows.
He told onlinepoker.ltd: “I think Manchester City will win it again. Arsenal will be second again. Aston Villa will be third and Tottenham will be fourth.
“With Tottenham, I think it’s possible to qualify for the Champions League. I would love to see a title challenge and I think they could do that if things go their way, but fourth is achievable.
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“I’m looking around at Liverpool and I think they may have a transitional season with the new manager coming in.”
The Reds named Arne Slot as successor after Jurgen Klopp stepped down.
And Chelsea chose Leicester boss Enzo Maresca to replace the sacked Mauricio Pochettino.
Sheringham believes the Blues “will find things difficult again”.
He added: “You don’t know what could happen there, but I’m not expecting top four or a title challenge.
“Newcastle United have got some good players. Perhaps not playing in Europe will help them, but I can’t see them getting into that top four.
“With Manchester United, there are so many question marks. They need to improve their consistency. If they can do that, then they could have a chance (of a top-four finish).
That’s despite Old Trafford chief Erk ten Hag recruiting Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, plus defenders Leny Yoro, Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.
Shreingham also revealed why Vlla can repeat last-season’s fourth-place heroics, ahead of so-called bigger clubs like United.
He said: “I think it will be a tough season for Villa, but I think they can handle it.
“I think that the Villa players will be able to handle juggling domestic and European football because of (manager Unai) Emery’s experience.
I fully expect them to be very good again. I expect them to finish in the top four and for them to be up there consistently all season.”
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