Arsenal
to pip Tottenham? West Ham above Chelsea? We asked Charlie Nicholas to
predict where the London clubs will finish in the Premier League...
Chelsea have finished above their capital rivals in each of the last three
seasons but are currently a lowly 16th in the Premier League following seven
defeats from their opening 12 games.
Arsenal - five points clear of Tottenham - missed the chance to go top of
the Premier League before the international break after a 2-2 draw with
their fierce rivals - but are 1/16 to take the capital's crown, according to
Sky Bet's top London club odds.
Spurs' 1-1 draw at the Emirates saw them move into fifth and ahead of West
Ham, the side they host on Super Sunday, while Crystal Palace are just two
points behind after winning at Liverpool before the international break.
But is Charlie predicting a different picture come the end of the campaign?
Here is where he thinks the five sides will finish...
London's No 1: Arsenal
I've picked Arsenal to win the league so they obviously have to be up there
as the No 1 London side.
I'm hoping Hector Bellerin, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be
fit again this weekend, while Mesut Ozil has had a rest, which will do him
good as I really do think this is the best period of form he has been in.
That means, after a catalogue of injuries, they're in a good place to get
back on track at West Brom this weekend and really push for the title.
Charlie predicts: Arsenal to win the Premier League
London's No 2: Tottenham
Tottenham have got a real shot at finishing in the top four, but when I
watched them take the lead at the Emirates they had the chance to kick on
and win that match, but weren't adventurous enough.
It's okay playing the squeezing game and working off the other team's
mistakes but there's another side of the game where, when it opens up, you
have to wrap up the three points. I haven't seen enough of that from them.
There are also still issues with depth. Their centre-backs have done really
well, but where's the cover? I'm not a fan of their full-backs and they rely
on Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris a lot.
Charlie predicts: Tottenham to finish fifth
London's No 3: Chelsea
Chelsea will flex their muscles. Yes, they are a lot of points behind but
when they get going - as I expect them to do against Norwich this weekend -
before you know it they'll win four or five on the bounce, including against
Tottenham, and they'll be back in it.
I don't think they will finish in the top four because they haven't shown
enough this season, but anything can happen in that top-four race. As things
stand I'm going for Southampton as my pick for fourth place, with Arsenal
and Man City the only sides looking really assured while United should get
third.
Charlie predicts: Chelsea to finish sixth
London's No 4: West Ham
As anybody that reads any of my stuff or hears me speak will know I'm a
massive fan of Slaven Bilic. However, I just feel that, as you can see
already, somebody like Dimitri Payet being injured takes its toll on them.
It's been good and they've got plenty of good results in them, but there's
still an awkwardness at home and I can't see them still being in the
top-four mix come the end of the season.
Charlie predicts: Comfortable top-half finish
London's No 5: Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are exciting and unpredictable but they've got the weakest
squad of the five and that's why I've got them last of the five London
teams. I love watching them play, though, and they'll comfortably finish
mid-table.
Charlie predicts: Mid-table finish for Palace
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