Former England goalkeeper James played almost 600 games in the top-flight between 1992 and 2010, turning out for the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.
Now a pundit, the 54-year-old has waded into the debate around the Champions League race and is confident two of his former clubs will push for the title.
And James believes United and Chelsea - both of whom fell well short last season - will join a stuttering Spurs in being pipped to the post once again.
Speaking to SafestCasinoSites, he said: 'Manchester City will expect to win the league, or at least that is my expectation from them. That is simply what City do.
Manchester United have been tipped to miss out on the Premier League top four
'Arsenal will be up there. I expect Arsenal to mount another title challenge, and I think Liverpool will do the same thing.'
James instead believes Newcastle and Aston Villa will battle it out for fourth place.
He added: 'The final position is a little bit trickier to predict.
'I think Villa will be there, but sadly for them to do that, then they will likely have to sacrifice the domestic cup competitions, which is a shame, but that's the reality of the standard in the Premier League these days.
'I think Newcastle could be there or thereabouts. I like the club's start to the season, which has been achieved in less than harmonious circumstances.
'We've seen Eddie Howe do it before, so we know he has that in his locker.
'Chelsea, they have some wonderful players, but consistency will be the main issue for them. I can't see them being consistent enough to challenge for a place in the top four over a 38-game season.
'If I'm looking at the table as things stand, I'm pretty sure the top four will come from the clubs that are currently sat in those positions, possibly even in the same order.
The five clubs mentioned by James currently occupy the top positions in the top-flight with Newcastle third, Liverpool fourth and Villa sitting in fifth.
City and Arsenal are first and second respectively ahead of Sunday's showdown.