How the top of the 2016/2017 premier league will pan out.

So the title is already won and Arsenal always finish in the top four?...

Let's start at the top, and by the top of course I mean Chelsea. The top is where they have been since, well since as far back as I can remember. It seems an eternity ago they they were being torn to shreds by a dynamic and dangerous looking Arsenal at the Emirates. The chasing pack have been left praying for a slip, any sign of an end of season wobble, but this has not materialised to date.

It would be very easy to assume the title is their's, in fact I'd be inclined to agree that they will win the title, but. I do expect points to be dropped, very possibly in fixtures that they will be firm favourites to win. The saving grace however for Chelsea is that they can afford one or two slips, especially with the chasing teams having games against each other, injuries and defensive frailties that show no signs of stiffening.

So, what of the chasing pack, the hunt for the champions league places? This race has been as fascinating as in any season I can remember, with Chelsea a given, you have 5 teams genuinly battling for 3 spots in my opinion, and I firmly believe the battle will go down to the wire.

For me, Manchester City have been hugely disappointing this season. So much was expected with the arrival of the master tactician, the serial trophy winner Pep Guardiola, but the reality has been Kolarov playing as a centre half... hmmm. All that being said, I expect them to snaffle a top four spot, in fact I expect them to finish strong. Their exit from the champions league was a blow, but domestic results may well improve as a result.

Another team that will finish in the top four is Arsenal, obviously. This is by far the most pressure Wenger has been under than at any stage of his tenure, there is a genuine discontent amongst even his most loyal supporters, but they always make it.

The final spot is a real lottery though for me, Spurs looked a certainty until Harry Kane's ankle had other ideas. He is so important to this side and even if he only misses three or four games, it's still a huge void to fill and points will be dropped. Liverpool are a real Jekyl and Hyde side, thrilling to watch at times and almost too hot for any opponent to handle, when they play a week later they look hopeless. That brings us to Manchester United, they've really made 6th spot their own, but can Jose inspire an end of season surge into fourth?

Not for me.

1st Chelsea
2nd Manchester City
3rd Arsenal
4th Tottenham

I just think that with Liverpool's defensive weakness, and Manchester United's tendancy to draw games, Spurs will cling on to fourth.

But this league is one that is so hard to predict in modern times, I've not even mentioned the possiblity of a late Lukaku led lunge at the top four from Everton. There are sure to be twists and turns a plenty, an enthralling finish to a fascinating season.