Manchester City retain the Premier League title while Luton Town fall straight back… but which teams MISS the top four? Michael Owen reveals his predictions for 2023-24

Michael Owen has backed Manchester City to retain their Premier League crown and finish ahead of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

The former star striker made his predictions ahead of the new season which starts this Friday, when newly promoted Burnley welcome Pep Guardiola’s team to Turf Moor.

Owen, who claimed his only Premier League title with Man United in 2011, expected Vincent Kompany’s team to evade the setback and finish in 16th place.

While the other two promoted clubs, Luton Town and Sheffield United, are poised for an immediate return to the Championship, according to the 46-year-old’s predictions.

The two-time Golden Boot winner put Wolves in their final relegation spot as he expects significant improvement from Chelsea but not enough to regain a place in the top four.

City finished five points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, who showed a huge improvement

Luton Town ended a fairytale season by winning the play-off final on penalties in May

City took 89 points last season as they went on to a third successive league title and their fifth in six seasons.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal finished five points adrift of the top and Owen expects the Gunners to suffer the same fate this season, although he is optimistic about the reaction from one of his former clubs.

The 46-year-old spent eight years in the Liverpool first team after graduating from the academy, supporting Jurgen Klopp’s side to bounce back from their disappointing fifth-place finish.

Owen opted to go for Man United in the final Champions League qualifying spot, ahead of Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea, Aston Villa and Newcastle, who the ex-speedster says will find a battle between domestic and European football.

Meanwhile, at the foot of the table, Bournemouth, Burnley and Crystal Palace have been tipped to finish in the three spots above the drop zones.