talk Monday Night FootballJamie Carragher and Gary Neville have made their predictions for the 2024/25 Premier League season.
champion
Jamie Carragher: Manchester City
Gary Neville: Arsenal
Jamie: “It’s always difficult playing the first game of the season away from home – just look at Liverpool v Ipswich in the first half. Manchester City playing Chelsea. Whatever you say about them, it’s Stamford Bridge, they still have big name players and they will win.”
Gary: “My reasoning [for backing Arsenal] “I think City’s treble win last year might affect them at some point – the demands, the expectations, the injuries – but they’ve won their last nine games and that’s just special.”
Jamie: “What’s interesting about Arsenal is that no team in the history of the Premier League has managed to finish in the top five years in a row. Arsenal have done it four times in a row and it will be difficult to beat last year’s performance.”
Gary: “Arsenal have had a great season so I’m not too far off. I feel they are close to winning and they will win. Pep Guardiola always wins but Arsenal are so consistent that I think this could be their year to win.”
“Arsenal are at a very high level right now in terms of consistency, defensive solidity, balance in the squad and they look to have great spirit.”
Jamie: “In recent years when they’ve competed in the league they’ve lost domestic cup competitions and failed to reach a European final. These players are good enough and should win a trophy this season.”
2nd to 4th place
Jamie Carragher: Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham
Gary Neville: Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea
Gary: “Chelsea could easily be in big trouble, but with the players they have signed I think they can have a good season.”
Jamie: “I think sacking the manager was a big mistake. Enzo Maresca is young, inexperienced and will have a tough job. Newcastle and Aston Villa will also be fighting for European places. They don’t have a goalkeeper!”
Gary: “My view is that Liverpool will be hit hard by (Jurgen) Klopp’s influence. History has shown that at some point this season it will hurt them and it could hurt them.”
Jamie: “There are areas that the Liverpool players need to strengthen but it’s great that they’re not panicking, which I really respect. Looking at Chelsea’s situation, I don’t want them to end up like that.”
Number 5 and 6
Jamie Carragher: Manchester United and Aston Villa
Gary Neville: Liverpool and Tottenham
Jamie: “Manchester United have made big mistakes in the past. They are buying young players now but let’s not think it’s revolutionary. Sir Matt Busby was doing this in the 60s! It’s not something special they should be praised for. They will compete but they will lose. I think Tottenham have the edge over them.”
Gary: “I think Liverpool are a better team than Manchester United and their forwards are much better, but I really doubt whether their midfield can hold up throughout the season. I think Manchester United have more depth in midfield.”
European candidates
Jamie Carragher: West Ham
Gary Neville: Newcastle
Jamie: “The style of football is different. [at West Ham]”Maybe it’s not going to be completely different, but it’s important that we try to be more proactive. The signings this summer have been very good. We’ve won a European trophy under David Moyes, so we’re already at that level.”
Gary: “I sometimes feel like the Champions League puts a strain on Aston Villa,” he said.
Jamie: “Newcastle need to buy a centre-back. I love them and I love Eddie Howe and if I had to pick he would be the next England manager. I think they will just miss out, just like they have this year.”
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Free to watch: Highlights of Leicester vs Tottenham draw in the Premier League
Demotion
Jamie Carragher: Southampton, Leicester, Nottingham Forest
Gary Neville: Southampton, Ipswich, Leicester
Jamie: “I don’t want to see three promoted teams relegated. It’s not good for the Championship or the Premier League. Nottingham Forest come close to relegation every season but eventually there will be a catch.”
Gary: “I hope Jamie is right and Ipswich or one of the clubs stays, but I’m not sure. I hope I’m wrong.”
Jamie: “I think Ipswich are like Luton this season because they’ve been away for so long. It’s going to be very difficult to dampen their enthusiasm but we saw that in the first half against Leicester. It’s not something new for them. They won’t have the energy every week at Portman Road but I don’t think not winning five or six games will affect them too much. I think they’ll be able to do well.”
Top Scorers
Jamie Carragher: Erling Haaland
Gary Neville: Erling Haaland
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Highlights from the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City
An impactful signature
Jamie Carragher: Pedro Neto
Gary Neville: Dominic Solanke
Jamie: “I chose Pedro Neto because I thought he could play for the best team in the world if he stayed healthy and didn’t get injured. I saw him play for Wolves and I thought it would be great if Liverpool signed him.”
“My only worry is that he’s good on the right wing cutting in to the left, but that’s where Cole Palmer likes to play. I love watching him play and it’s a bit depressing to hear he’s injured again. I’m just glad he stays fit. When he’s fit he’s one of the best players in the Premier League.”
Featured Players
Jamie Carragher: Yankuba Minte
Gary Neville: Julian Timberland
Jamie: “I read a lot of news over the summer about Minte returning to Newcastle, but when you look at the players at Newcastle… [Miguel] Almiron and [Jacob] Murphy, what did that boy do? [for Brighton] “Obviously, Newcastle will regret letting him go against Everton. He looks like the real deal.”
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Watch Everton vs Brighton Premier League highlights
Gary: “We were hoping Timber would come to Arsenal and provide some stability to the defense, but they’ve done it without him. He feels like a new addition and it will be exciting to see how he fits into the team.”
Featured Manager
Jamie Carragher: Arne Slott
Gary Neville: Erik ten Hag, Arne Sloot, Enzo Maresca
Jamie: “I don’t think Liverpool supporters expect the world from him in his first season, they understand the situation he’s in. [Slot] If he does come, I think it will be enough for Liverpool to repeat last season’s results.
“I was really impressed with some of the things he did over the weekend, how determined he was at half-time and how he identified the issues and dealt with them.”
“Watching Liverpool play from the back – we’ve all played those games on dry pitches – they knew we were there.
“It was a good thing he said, that in those situations you don’t need to keep on using short passes, you can go a little longer. He’s the complete opposite of Klopp and at the end the crowd was screaming his name and he avoided it.”
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Jamie Carragher suggests Arne Slott has made a strong start to life at Liverpool by establishing a clear identity.
Gary: “I think all three have a story to tell so you can’t separate them. It’s a big gamble for each one in a different way. A lot of people thought Erik ten Hag was gone but he’s still there. We have new hope, the team is stronger, we’re feeling good but now we have to get results.”
“It will be interesting to see how Slott succeeds Klopp as manager, as it has not worked out so far for one of the greatest managers in Premier League history to take on the role.”
“Maresca is still in his early days as a coach and he has to deal with the noise at Chelsea, the number of players, the balance of the squad and the youth of the squad. It’s a tough job.”
