Arsenal tipped for second

Arsenal tipped for second place in Premier League by Soccer Saturday pundits

Arsenal have been tipped to hold off the Manchester clubs and finish second to Premier League leaders Chelsea by our Soccer Saturday pundits.

Paul Merson, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas reckon Arsene Wenger’s men – who are currently the division’s in-form side – are on course for a runners-up spot after Manchester City suffered a shock Monday Night Football defeat at Crystal Palace.

That loss left Manuel Pellegrini’s men in fourth ahead of this weekend’s Manchester derby, two points behind the Gunners and one behind rivals United.

Merson and Thompson reckon City – who for so long this season were Chelsea’s main rivals for the title – will eventually finish in the final Champions League qualifying spot, with Louis van Gaal’s side ahead of them.

Nicholas expects a City response – but all three pundits, with a month and a half remaining of the season - say the 2014/15 Premier League title is as good as Chelsea’s…

Thommo’s top four prediction:

1. Chelsea

2. Arsenal

3. Man Utd

4. Man City  

Thommo says: “After Monday night’s result it’s going to be extremely difficult for City to finish second to Chelsea, who’ve pretty much won it. I’d have to say, on current form, it’s likely to be Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City behind them.”