Alan Shearer has predicted what the entire Premier League table will look like come May - and he surprised some with his controversial inclusion of Newcastle United in the top four. The Premier League's all-time record goalscorer had his say on what the English top-flight will look from top to bottom at the end of the season ahead of the 2024/25 campaign that gets underway on Friday (August 16) with Manchester United hosting Fulham.
Opting for a first league winner not named Manchester City for the first time in five years, the Magpies icon predicted Arsenal to win their first Premier League title since the Invincibles in 2004. It's second place for Pep Guardiola's side, according to Shearer, who lost Julian Alvarez in a £82million deal to Atletico Madrid while Oscar Bobb is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a fractured leg in training.
The 54-year-old thinks Liverpool will score a second consecutive third-place finish in Arne Slot's debut season at Anfield while leaving fans stunned by believing Newcastle will round out the top four and make a return to the Champions League despite a less-than-impressive summer transfer window.
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Speaking to Betfair, Shearer explained his reasoning behind his top four choices, admitting Newcastle's lack of European football this season can play to their advantage in their chase for a return to the Champions League. "I think Liverpool will finish in the top four again. I'd be hopeful of Newcastle because they haven't got European football to contend with this year so in terms of injuries and squad availability, that should help them.
"If they can get a free run then I'd be hopeful that Newcastle could finish fourth." The likes of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Aston Villa are placed fifth to seventh for the ex-England international who acknowledged the encouraging performance Erik ten Hag's side showed in their Community Shield defeat.
"There are other teams that will be challenging. I was impressed with Man United in the Community Shield. They looked really good and had the better chances - albeit Man City still had a few players out injured or still recovering from the Euros but I think it'll be a really tight race for the top four.
"I think Spurs will challenge again. Dominic Solanke is a good signing for them. They paid a lot of money for him but he's what they needed and he will help them kick on a little bit more as well." Focusing on the bottom half of the table, Shearer believes it'll be a swift return to the Championship for all three newly-promoted teams, having picked Ipswich Town, Southampton, and Leicester City to be relegated.
"It's not rocket science to know that the three promoted teams will find it really difficult," he remarked. "Leicester might even have a punishment to face at some stage and if they do then it'll be very difficult for them to survive in the Premier League.
"Everton and Bournemouth may find themselves in a tricky situation, along with Nottingham Forest. Wolves have had to sell the likes of Max Kilman and Pedro Neto too but as usual I think the newly-promoted sides Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester will find it difficult to stay up."
