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Sports presenter Jeff Stelling has made a surprising Premier League prediction, picking Arne Slot to lead Liverpool to glory in the 2024-25 season in his first season at Anfield. While Manchester City are looking to win their fifth consecutive league title, Stelling reckons Pep Guardiola's side will finish third.
Sterling has predicted that last season's runner-ups Arsenal will keep hold of their position. Rounding off his top four, Stelling has snubbed the consensus candidates Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur. He has instead backed Newcastle United to make a return to the top four, just as they did in the 2022-23 season.
Speaking on talkSPORT, the legendary presenter said (via Metro):
"I've got Arsenal second, but I haven't gone for the title winner you might expect. I'm going for Liverpool to win the title."
Clarifying his surprising pick, Stelling continued:
"They had a wobble last season and that cost them. People are making a great deal about the lack of signings but equally, they haven't had any significant losses either."
He added:
"I think a lot of the young players will be better. People will think why are you overlooking Manchester City and I just think the team has been chipped away a bit over the last few years."
Manchester City have won the Premier League for the last four seasons.
Premier League fixtures for the top teams this weekend
The Premier League is off and running as Erik ten Hag's Manchester United beat Fulham 1-0 in the opening game on Friday, August 16. Liverpool are set to start their campaign on Saturday, August 17, against Ipswich Town at the Portman Road Stadium.
Arsenal play Wolverhampton Wanderers on the same day at the Emirates Stadium. Last season's top-four finishers, Aston Villa, meanwhile, play West Ham United at the London Stadium later tonight.
On Sunday, August 18, Chelsea host Manchester City in a blockbuster showdown, which is arguably the game of the weekend. Tottenham Hotspur take on the newly-promoted Leicester City at the King Power Stadium tomorrow.
Manchester City have shown over the years that they're result-oriented in their approach. They rarely spare other teams the room to slip up, meaning the other consensus title contenders need to be near-perfect from the word get-go.
Even the slightest of margins matter when coming up against a seasoned winner like Manchester City.
