Pundit warns Manchester United with surprise Premier League top-four prediction

Martin Keown reckons Tottenham are favourites to edge out Manchester United and Arsenal in the top-four race.

Gunned down by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night, United are set for an almighty battle to qualify for the marquee European competition next season. Arsenal moved four points clear with when they won at Villa Park on Saturday lunchtime and still have a game in hand.

Tottenham and West Ham also have to be factored in and those London sides meet on Sunday afternoon. Victory for either team would move them up to fifth-place. However, in that scenario they too will have played more games than the Gunners. So why does Keown think that rejuvenated England captain Harry Kane and Tottenham hold the advantage?

READ MORE: David de Gea sets out two big ambitions at Manchester United

Speaking to BT Sport, the former Arsenal player said: "There's a lot of games to go and I still put Spurs as favourites to make it into the top-four. Arsenal are in the box seat, I know that, but when you look at the fixtures, games away at Chelsea, Spurs. It's tough.

"It's in Arsenal's hands and if they keep performing as they are they'll do it, but it's a long way to go. They get the job done [against Aston Villa] with three points in the bag."

Without a game this weekend, United return to Premier League duty against Leicester City on Saturday, April 2. It's a fixture which comes after the upcoming international break.

Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.