Alan Shearer predicts Manchester City to fall short in Premier League title race once again | OneFootball

Newcastle United and Premier League legend Alan Shearer believes Manchester City will once again fall short in the chase for the English top-flight title this season.

The new Premier League campaign brings with it a host of predictions, projections, and opinions from former professionals and pundits alike, and few voices carry as much weight as that of all-time leading goalscorer Alan Shearer.

With Pep Guardiola’s side looking to bounce back after losing their crown to Liverpool last season, Shearer’s forecast may come as a surprise to some Manchester City fans who believe the squad has been retooled and revitalised ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Despite significant movement in the summer transfer market, including midfield additions and growing influence from emerging talents like Oscar Bobb in particular, Manchester City are still not considered title favourites in Shearer’s eyes.

Questions over key areas – such as impact of Rodri off the back of his serious knee injury and the uncertainty surrounding longer-term futures of long-standing stars – may have influenced his view that Manchester City could struggle to regain domestic dominance.

The pundit has also likely considered the coaching landscape shift across the Premier League, with the likes of Arsenal continuing to strengthen under Mikel Arteta, and Liverpool entering a fresh era under Arne Slot. Both clubs are expected to push Pep Guardiola’s side all the way once again – and perhaps surpass them – if Shearer’s prediction is anything to go by.

Providing his full Premier League table predictions to Betfair this week, the top-flight legend believes Manchester City will see a repeat of their 2024/25 table position, but concluding the forthcoming campaign in third position.

“I think we’re in for another competitive season, and I can’t wait for it to get started,” Shearer admitted this week. “I’ve made my 1-20 predictions, but I’m sure that we’ll need to revisit this at the end of August,” he added.

Finishing in the top-four positions, Shearer believes Liverpool will retain their Premier League crown, followed by Arsenal in second, Manchester City in third, and Chelsea concluding the campaign in fourth-place.

Running through other positions predicted by Shearer:

5. Newcastle United6. Manchester United7. Aston Villa8. Tottenham Hotspur9. Nottingham Forest10. Brighton & Hove Albion11. AFC Bournemouth12. Crystal Palace13. Everton14. Wolverhampton Wanderers15. Fulham16. West Ham17. Brentford

And to be relegated back down to the Championship, in the view of Alan Shearer, will be the three teams that secured promotion for the 2025/26 campaign: Leeds United (18th), Sunderland (19th), Burnley (20th).

While Manchester City supporters may disagree with Alan Shearer’s forecast, it could serve as fuel for Pep Guardiola’s squad heading into the new season. The club has proven in previous years that they respond well to criticism and have the capacity to surge through tough stretches, especially in the second half of the campaign.

With a fully-fit Erling Haaland, the emergence of Jeremy Doku, and reinforcements in key positions throughout the course of the summer, many within the Etihad Stadium believe that a title challenge remains well within reach, even if external voices remain unconvinced.

Whether Alan Shearer’s prediction proves prescient or premature will become clear in the coming months. But as Pep Guardiola prepares his squad for their season opener and a potential trophy-laden run, Manchester City will be aiming to silence any doubters.