Opta experts predict Man City & Man Utd final positions in Premier League title fight and top-four battle

Manchester City have made a strong start to the new season as they chase down another title. Pep Guardiola’s side won their first four fixtures before drawing 2-2 with Arsenal last time out.

As for Manchester United, it has been a tricky opening month or so of the campaign and they are hoping to hit some consistent form soon. Using data from Opta (via United Zone on X), here is a look at a predicted finish Premier League table...

1. Man City, 91 points

2. Arsenal, 81 points

3. Liverpool, 77 points

4. Chelsea, 66 points

5. Aston Villa, 62 points

6. Newcastle United, 62 points

7. Tottenham Hotspur, 57 points

8. Man Utd, 57 points

9. Brighton and Hove Albion, 55 points

10. Fulham, 50 points

11. Brentford, 48 points

12. West Ham United, 47 points

13. Crystal Palace, 45 points

14. AFC Bournemouth, 45 points

15. Nottingham Forest, 45 points

16. Everton, 36 points

17. Wolves, 36 points

18. Ipswich Town, 34 points

19. Leicester City, 33 points

20. Southampton, 27 points

Opta has predicted City to pip Arsenal to top spot by 10 points in the end. Meanwhile, United are tipped to finish 8th just like the last campaign.

If this forecast is correct, both Liverpool and Chelsea would occupy the final two Champions League places. Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Spurs would also get into Europe.

Newly promoted trio Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton would all go down to the Championship after just a year. Wolves, Everton and Nottingham Forest would stay up.

City are back in action this weekend away at Newcastle United. Pep Guardiola has to make do without Rodri for a lengthy spell due to injury and has said: “What he gives us we don’t have a similar player, but the other players all together can replace what Rodri has given us since he arrived to us. We have to do it as a team and find a way to play during a lot of months without an important player for us.

“Everybody knows it. Speedy recovery and next season he will compete against them. We are stronger with him, we re stronger with Nathan Ake, we are strong with Oscar Bobb. All the injuries we did not want it, but football happens. Rodri will be out for a period, not just eight, nine months. As a club we have magnificent players, we will find a solution and it is what it is.”

United have Spurs at home on Sunday. Ten Hag has said: “Every opponent has strengths and weaknesses and Tottenham have their strengths in their philosophy. [That is] very clear. [They are] very attacking but [that] leaves also space. That is what we take into account that can maybe help but you have to be very good against Tottenham. We want to control the game and you need the high performance level. We will create again I am sure but we need to take our chances."