Jamie O'Hara has given his prediction of how the Premier League table will look at the end of the upcoming 2026-27 season and he's backing Tottenham Hotspur to majorly improve.
Spurs were last season's biggest disappointment, finishing 17th and avoiding relegation by the skin of their teeth on the final day. Roberto De Zerbi has since been backed in the transfer market with six new signings, including the club-record £100 million arrival of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United.
The new campaign kicks off on Friday when defending champions Arsenal host newly-promoted Coventry City at the Emirates. O'Hara has also revealed whether he sees the Gunners lifting the title again come May next year.
O'Hara Predicts Premier League Top Six
Predicting the Premier League is a difficult task, given that there are often many surprises, such as Sunderland qualifying for the Europa League last season. Most fans are always keen to hear from former players and how they see their respective club performing over the course of 38 matches.
O'Hara gave his verdict on talkSPORT, starting with the top six and he believes his former club Spurs will be returning to European football: "Arsenal will win the league, Man City will finish second, Man United will finish third, Chelsea will finish fourth, Liverpool will finish fifth and Spurs will finish sixth."
The former Spurs midfielder won't have enjoyed choosing Arsenal as his champions but Mikel Arteta's men are heavy favourites to successfully defend their crown. They eased to a 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield last Sunday and the Citizens have been expected to be their closest challengers.
City put in a lackluster performance that raised alarm bells as they enter a new era without Pep Guardiola in charge. Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca succeeded the Spaniard earlier this summer and is tasked with building on the most successful period in the club's history.
Manchester United and Chelsea complete O'Hara's top four and that will be a job well done for Xabi Alonso at Stamford Bridge if it comes to fruition. The Blues faltered last season, missing out on Europe in dismal fashion before turning to the Spaniard.
Perhaps O'Hara's most controversial take is that he sees Liverpool finishing fifth. The Reds head into the new season with Andoni Iraola at the helm and the former Bournemouth boss is tipped to be a success at Anfield after replacing Arne Slot.
O'Hara explained to co-host Rory Jennings, who disagreed with his stance on the Merseysiders: "Liverpool ain't gonna be that great. The team's not there... I think he's (Iraola) a good manager but they've got a long way to go."
Spurs may be splashing the cash to rebuild De Zerbi's squad, but the North London outfit are outsiders to achieve European qualification. But without midweek football, they could enjoy a season similar to United's, who finished third last term under Michael Carrick.
O'Hara's Relegation Picks
Two newcomers avoided the drop last season after Sunderland pulled off a remarkable seventh-placed finish and Leeds United claimed 14th. West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers' spells in the top flight ended, while Burnley, were sent straight back down to the EFL Championship.
Coventry, Ipswich Town and Hull City will be hoping to replicate the Black Cats and the Peacocks and remain in the Premier League. While O'Hara believes Frank Lampard's Sky Blues are the strongest of the three newly-promoted sides, he doesn't have much confidence in any of them:
"Hull, Ipswich, I don't want to say Palace cos I think Palace will be alright. I don't think it's Newcastle (one of Jennings' picks)... I like Frank Lampard and I really want him to do well, I think they'll go down but I think they'll put up one hell of a fight."
Should Coventry stay up, O'Hara has concerns over Crystal Palace and believes they could be in trouble. But he has predicted all three newcomers to be relegated for just the third time in Premier League history.