Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has predicted that table-toppers Leicester City will win the Premier League title this season. The Scot, who won 13 Premier League title with the Red Devils, also said they would win it with three games to spare.
The Foxes currently have a five-point lead over second-placed Tottenham Hotspur with nine games to go. Third-placed Arsenal are eight points behind while Manchester City are nine points adrift of Claudio Ranieri’s side.
Their position at the top is well-deserved as they have recorded wins against the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool this season. The only team that beat them on both occasions was Arsenal who also failed to keep a clean sheet in both matches.
Guard of honour at Old Trafford?
When asked if Leicester City can win the league title, Ferguson said: “Of course they can!”
The 74-year-old was at the Cheltenham Festival preview lunch when he also predicted when they would win the title.
“I believe they will win with three games to spare,” concluded Ferguson.
If his prediction holds good, the Foxes will win the title with a result at the King Power Stadium against Swansea City on 24 April. If the title race is over on that day, then their next game will see Manchester United players forming a guard of honour at Old Trafford for the champions.
Leicester’s final three games are against Manchester United (1 May), Everton (7 May at home) and Chelsea (15 May at Stamford Bridge).
West Ham will finish in the top four: Ferguson
Ferguson was also asked who the best player in the Premier Leauge this season was. Although Jamie Vardy (19 goals and 4 assists) and Riyad Mahrez (15 goals and 11 assists) have set the league alight with goals galore, he picked N’Golo Kante as the player of the season.
“By a long way,” Ferguson said of Kante.
He also went on to praise Steve Walsh, Leicester’s assistant manager and head of recruitment who has been credited with bringing Mahrez, Vardy and Kante to the club.
“The most influential person in the Premier League has been Steve Walsh,” Ferguson said.
He also thought West Ham would finish in the top four along with Leicester, Tottenham and Arsenal, leaving both Manchester clubs in Europa League spots. The Hammers are currently in fifth place, two points behind Manchester City.
