“I think they’ll win the league this year” - England legend Stuart Pearce backs surprise club to beat Manchester City in Premier League title race
Stuart Pearce has backed Newcastle United to pull off a shock and take Manchester City's Premier League crown.
The Magpies have been boosted by more superb transfer business, luring the likes of Sandro Tonali, Tivo Livramento, and Harvey Barnes to St James' Park. They were last season's surprise package as they finished fourth, successfully qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
Pearce has predicted Eddie Howe's men to be flying high once again by the end of this season. The Manchester City icon has tipped Newcastle to win the Premier League title. He told talkSPORT:
The former England captain continued by explaining what the Tyneside giants might need to do in order to compete for the title. He alluded to this Saturday's (August 19) meeting between Howe's side and the reigning champions City:
Pep Guardiola's treble winners have suffered a massive blow at the start of the season. Kevin De Bruyne has picked up a hamstring injury that looks likely to keep him sidelined until at least next year. Pearce reckons this could be detrimental to last season's top scorer Erling Haaland:
Manchester City are hoping to win their fourth consecutive league title, which is unprecedented in English football. However, many are tipping Arsenal to once again challenge the Cityzens having done so last season.
Yet, Newcastle are a rising dark horse given they continue to improve under Howe's tutelage. Many didn't have them down as top-four challengers last season but they sprung a surprise in beating Liverpool to Champions League qualification.
Chris Sutton has predicted City to come out on top when they face Newcastle in the Premier League this Saturday at the Etihad. He told BBC Sport:
Sutton added:
The English pundit reckons Guardiola's
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