Chelsea will win the Premier League this season while reigning champions Leicester City and Crystal Palace finish mid-table.
That is the verdict of Paul Merson, who admits he is in dark as to who will emerge as frontrunners and relegation strugglers in the top-flight this term.
But the former Arsenal forward has tipped Antonio Conte to bag the title at Stamford Bridge and said in his Sky Sports column: “I'm going for Chelsea on the strength of the manager, Antonio Conte, and Eden Hazard.
“The Belgium international had a terrible campaign last season, but could still be the best player in the league.
“If he gets going again then the Blues could sneak their way to the top.”
Manchester City, United and Arsenal make up the remaining Champions League spots, while Liverpool and Tottenham are fourth and fifth in Merson’s predicted league.
The ex-England international fears Leicester will struggle to repeat their heroic feats, however, and sees the Foxes finishing just above Palace in 11th.
The Eagles began last season superbly but suffered a dramatic loss of form in 2016 which saw them drop to 15th with 42 points.
Merson says Alan Pardew’s side are capable of breaking into the top eight but suggested they will lack the consistency to do so.
“Palace are one of those teams who will win a streak of games and then lose a streak of games,” Merson, who played over 300 games for Arsenal, said.
“Alan Pardew will win seven on the trot and then lose seven on the trot and he needs to break that trend.
“If he can do that then there's no reason why they can't get into the top eight.”
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