All 20 PL Clubs Predicted 26/27

20:08It was interesting after the game, Moyes did an interview and just said he needs more from him this season. And Tieno Barry was talking about he was doing loads during the summer to make sure he's better this season. So I think they're going to score some of them goals that they miss. And yeah, mid-table for Everton.

20:25Alan Shearer:Yeah, I think if Barry does realise the potential that he's got, that could make a significant difference, hopefully, for Everton. On to Fulham, who also finished in mid-table last season in an 11th spot. Obviously, they've had a change of coach now. They've gone with Alvaro Arbeloa, who was, of course, at Real Madrid for a short period last season after Xavi Alonso went. But he found it very difficult as well. lost Chelsea 3-2 it was a very entertaining game with Chelsea's front three proving too much for them and they've brought in Garcia and Gonzalo Gonzaga from Real Madrid 34 million quid I quite liked him on the occasions I saw for Real Madrid when he did actually start Cher Charles from Southampton for 19 million Cesar Palacios from another player from Real Madrid so So big season for Fulham.

21:28Alan Shearer:I think relegation battle, but I think they'll be okay. I've gone early with this one. Who wants to follow me? Yeah, purely because the squad is quite young. I think Fulham could be one of those teams that play really good football, really entertaining to watch, but concede a lot of goals. They do take a lot of chances against Chelsea, but they give a good fight. So it's one of those teams where you look at and think, ooh, they're very nice on the eye. But are they going to get over the line? Because they had more possession in that game against Chelsea. And it looked like they was cruising at one point.

22:06And then before you know it, a couple of mistakes and then they concede a goal. So, yeah, I don't think they will be relegated, but I think they'll be flirting with relegation.

22:15Gary Lineker:Yeah, relegation battle for me. I think it'll be a tough season for them. I thought they did okay, actually, on there. Like you, I thought they did okay against Chelsea and was impressed with what they showed. But I still think they'll have a tough season, relegation battle, yeah.

22:33Alan Shearer:We're agreeing on a lot today. Too many we're agreeing, aren't we? Too much, really. Must have done our research. We'll be back after the break while we're predicting the next 10 Premier League clubs, including both Manchester teams, Liverpool, and Alsmob Newcastle as well. This episode is brought to you by Guinness. With the Premier League kicking off again, it's time to restart those pre-match rituals.

22:59Gary Lineker:Well, I started mine first day of the season. I had to have a pint of Guinness in the house and then taxi picked me up into town, into my mate's bar, Harry's, couple of pints of Guinness again, and then walked to the cathedral on the hill. Beautiful. Absolutely perfect.

23:16Alan Shearer:My pre-podcast routine is a Guinness. So there you go. There it is. About you, Micah. You know what? I wasn't drinking alcohol for a year, but I was drinking Guinness Zero. Ooh. Lovely job there.

23:32Gary Lineker:Whether you're at home or the pub, Guinness and Guinness Zero are the perfect pre-match pints.

23:38Alan Shearer:Match day is always a lovely day for a Guinness official beer and non-alcoholic beer of the Premier League. 18 plus. For the facts, visit drinkaware.co.uk. Please drink responsibly.

24:14No place like Chrome. Check responses set up required compatibility and availability varies 18+. This episode is brought to you by Nordstrom. For 125 years, Nordstrom has been part of your story. The stylist who found the perfect outfit for your big interview. The first pair of walking shoes for your one-year-old. The tomato soup you shared with your sister at the cafe. These are the moments that make Nordstrom, Nordstrom. Big or small, we're here for all of it. Celebrating 125 years with new moments still had. Discover it all in Nordstrom stores and at Nordstrom.com.

24:58Alan Shearer:We'll be back with the next 10 clubs in just a tick, including both Manchester clubs and Liverpool. But before then, you may have seen UEFA president Alexander Sheffarin making headlines this week. That followed a brilliant interview he gave to Alistair Campbell on The Rest is Politics. And here's a clip.

25:18Gary Lineker:Is Infantino's plan dead or will they try to revive it? And will Infantino survive as president of FIFA? In this case, football would be literally sold. I'm absolutely sure that the plan is dead, but things get too far. Now, football politics is sometimes even more complicated or if you want, dirty than the normal politics. So you never know what will happen in the future. But for me, the most important thing is that we stopped another try to sell the sport. I mean, it's hard to imagine what kind of people would sell the sport that belongs to everyone. How does he survive? Because in the end, it's about votes.

26:02Gary Lineker:It is political. It's about the numbers. Tell me what you think he will be trying to do to survive, because he's clearly not going to walk, is he? He goes to the elections in March. But in that case, I think he will have a candidate against him. I don't know yet who. Nor you. No, no, I'm not interested because of two reasons. One reason is that I love UEFA and I love working here. And I think that at a certain point you have also, I mean, it's time also to enjoy life a bit. Let's see till when. And the second point is my credibility is much, much, much higher if I'm not interested in the position.

26:40Alan Shearer:Hope you enjoyed that. If you'd like to hear the full interview, search The Rest is Politics leading wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, chaps, I think it's been all too similar so far. Too, too nicey-nicey. I know. What's going on? I picked out a couple of, I thought, hot takes and you've all gone with them as well. So I was trying to be a little bit, I thought I'd be a bit different, but it's great minds, you see, great minds. Right, we're on to one of the promoted clubs who started the season in emphatic style by beating Manchester United. Hull, who finished sixth, of course, in the championship, came up via the playoffs.

27:19Alan Shearer:Sergei Yakovic is now in charge. He took them to promotion, of course, in his first season. So there's loads of players in, quite a few players that they obviously needed. They've had a ghost, as the promoted teams have to do nowadays. I think if you'd have asked us this a week ago, we'd have all probably said, I think they'll be bottom. But after that first result, have we... Give them a bit more... It's a reactionary, come on!

27:47Gary Lineker:They were brilliant against Man United in that opening game. They battered them, deserved to win. should have been more every single one of them was outstanding it was a great atmosphere but I've still got them being relegated yeah but Bernie but Bernie my neighbour I'm sorry I've done all the stats I've had all the data it was amazing even getting into the Premier League but unfortunately unfortunately having a relegation battle come on

28:20Alan Shearer:prove me wrong please hang on relegation battle does that mean you're staying up or going down Micah well when you've got a mate who plays for a team you've got to sit on the fence haven't you you know what I mean no sitting on the fence in this episode yeah career so get off it he's not renting one of your houses is he nope nope nope nope oh right staying up or going down Micah based off the squad right now I have them going down yes okay I'm sorry Hall fans I'll join you on that but But hopefully you'll prove us wrong. On to Ipswich, another of the promoted sides, second in the championship last season.

29:00Alan Shearer:Kieran McKenna decided to leave. Gary O 'Neill has come in. They've had a good start to the season, beating Sunderland. They had a long wait last time during the Premier League for their first victory. Obviously, they brought in quite a number of players. Nciso Uwatara Emerson from Toulouse for 24 million Abdul Fatah Leicester fans will know that he's really talented so they're having a go but will they have enough to stay up?

29:33Gary Lineker:I'm going to say yes I think if there's one of the teams that came up can stay up I'm going to say it's Ipswich there will be obviously in a relegation battle but they might just have enough to stay up so I'm going to say staying up the Ipswich well what gives you that opinion is it in CISO the way he played the other day yeah I just think they'll be able to score a couple of goals was impressed with them at the weekend and I think the belief that that will give them because the last time I think it was 11 games it took them to win if I'm correct

30:07Alan Shearer:they've spent close on 200 million

30:09Gary Lineker:you know yep spent a right few quid and they've had a go so I think they'll just have enough yeah I like everything that you said, you know, Al. And when I watched them, if you took away the name, a team that's just come to the Premier League, you'd think there was an experienced Premier League side. Am I just saying relegation battle because it's Ipswich and because when the last time they were there, they didn't do that well? Oh, I had them going down. I had them going down, but I think it's going to be close. I think they're going to push all the way to the end. but in them winter months I think it's going to be difficult for them so I've got them borderline

30:51Alan Shearer:borderline going down I think the relegation fight this season could be really tight amongst quite a number of clubs sometimes it works spending that amount of money Sunderland did it last season didn't they they spent quite a lot in the summer brought in lots of players Ipswich are now doing it but I think the change in managers is a bit of a big deal after you get promoted. So, and I like Gary O 'Neill. I think he's really good tactically, but I think it's going to be difficult for them. But they've got three points. For me, I'm on the edge of that one. I think it'll be the Ipswich or Coventry that goes, but I'm going to go the Ipswich will go down.

31:29Alan Shearer:Okay. Leeds, leads, leads, Micah. Matching up. 14th last season, of course. Had a really good season under Daniel Falk. Won their opening game again, against Forrest, of course, as well. They've brought in, I think, a top young goalkeeper in James Trafford for£40 million and two or three other signings as well. So Pascal Strike has gone to Brighton, so they'll miss him. Leeds mid-table, easily, no problems. I don't think pushing for Europe, I think that potentially could be next season, but the manager's got them playing some great football, so organised away from home as well and then when they go to Ellen Road even better so yeah Leeds play exciting football I would have liked to see a little bit more business from their point of view obviously Metsch is really good Calvert-Lewin had a really good season I would like to see another option in that forward position and as in as like the number nine position so yes but I think Leeds will be fine I'm going mid-table

32:39Gary Lineker:Brilliant signing James Trafford outstanding signing I think he is and I think he'll win them so many points yeah I've got them in and around maybe even just above mid-table but yeah mid-table for me as well leads I think it'll be as per not many teams will look forward to going to Ellen Road I think

32:58Alan Shearer:in a relegation battle but the upper side of it so it depends whether you say mid-table is for I think 14th 15th a bit like they finished last season. So if that's fighting relegation or if that's mid-table, I'll leave that up to you. But that's where I'm going to go.

33:18Gary Lineker:That's Gary sitting on the fence, Micah. Sitting on the fence. Sitting on the fence.

33:22Alan Shearer:I've actually named either 14th or 15th place. That's not sitting on the fence.

33:29Gary Lineker:Okay, we'll go along with that. We think they'll do better than that, me and Micah, yeah.

33:32Alan Shearer:Well, yeah, they'll do better than that. Definitely do better than that. On to the title winners two years ago, Liverpool obviously struggled last season. Cracking opening game against Newcastle. Allen, a little bit of breaking news on this one, which is quite significant and it's from David Ornstein, so I think we can probably believe it. Liverpool reach agreement in principle on terms of a deal to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain. Details to be fine. Looks around 120 million, 100 million, something like that. obviously a player we've enjoyed watching at PSG so that's a good signing isn't it?

34:15Gary Lineker:Brilliant top player very very good player but I'm not convinced with Liverpool I think defensively they'll struggle no I wasn't I wasn't impressed with them at all at Newcastle at the weekend When you say struggle Alan

34:30Alan Shearer:are you talking like relegation battle? I don't think they'll

34:32Gary Lineker:I don't think they'll challenge for the title I don't think they'll have enough for that and they may even miss out on the top four. I've got them fourth or fifth. So Champions League, just, just, yeah. Yeah, I've got Liverpool fourth. I think, yeah, the balance is not right, but they can still score goals. Midfield is not working as they would like it to if they get Barcola. Although Barcola's one of those players, he's frustrating in terms of he misses a lot of big chances. He still gets in really good positions. and he still gets a team up the field as well. So I think if they get him... Got a little bit of Jeremy Doku about him.

35:14Yes, yes. A little bit. Yeah, well, it was like Doku. So Doku was really good. He beat his man and he beat the second man and then he could square it or he could put it in the top corner and he would sort of just... But he's worked a lot on that Doku and he's got better on that. But I think Barcola, the way Liverpool want to play under Iriola, I think it'd be a very good signing. But I don't think it changes the league position for me. I'm still going fourth.

35:41Alan Shearer:Yeah, I've got them in about the same place. It's obviously a new manager's coming in. He's got to change the style. He's actually said himself he's not sure they're quite ready yet for what I want. So it might take a bit of time, one or two more signings. They've obviously lost a couple of experienced players. So I'm going to go the same. I think they'll just make Champions League football. Okay, on to Manchester City. Second last season. But the big, big, big change there is no longer Pep Guardiola in charge. It's Enzo Marescu who worked with Guardiola, of course, at City a few years ago and was doing pretty well at Chelsea until it all shit hit the fan.

36:23Alan Shearer:So they brought in Elliot Anderson, of course, for a lot of money. They've got a youngster with bags of talent from Leicester, but I don't think he'll feature for a while. And they've obviously offloaded quite a lot of players that you'll know. Savinho, Rodri, Trafford, Akanji, Ake, Rinders, Bernardo Silva and John Stones.

36:44Gary Lineker:Boaddy, they've signed as well, guys. Boaddy has come in, of course.

36:47Alan Shearer:Maybe Enzo Fernandes as well. Enzo Fernandes. So I think City are definitely in transition mode in more ways than one, probably more than anyone. So anything could happen this season. I still think they'll make Champions League, but I don't envisage them in a title race. Sorry, Micah. No, I think you're being honest. One thing I would say, Mureska knows the club, having been there before under Pep. So he knows how to deal with the owners, the fans, et cetera, et cetera. I agree. I think there's been too much change. Even Boadi's 18 years of age is going to be difficult. Elliot Anderson coming in who you know going from Forest to Man City where you're expected to get into the Champions League he's different but I still have faith that they'll play some good football they've got Harland up front will always score Doku towards the end of the last season was playing really well Semenyo always got a goal in him so I don't think it's as bad as people think so I've got him in as second

37:58Gary Lineker:I've got them third I've got Chelsea in second and I've got Man City in third, without doubt, Champions League. I just think, yeah, very similar to you. They're different to what they are and it might take them a while to try and get back to where they want to be. So, third for me.

38:13Alan Shearer:Okay, on to Manchester United, who did finish third last season after that great run that they had under Michael Carrick in the second half of the season. He's now the permanent manager, but obviously a shocking start to the season, losing at Hull. Belieber's come in subsequently. we've already seen Santos and Tielemans play in midfield they've lost Casemiro, Inanna Jadon Sancho have gone so a few changes there the big question is can Michael Carrick continue with how well he was doing last season given the fact that this time they've got Champions League football as well I think the squad looks a tad light to compete on all fronts at present so I think I think between them I think their fourth fifth along with Liverpool for me

39:06Gary Lineker:same for me they were rotten at the weekend running against Hull I mean if I had done this before the season I'd have been that performance worried me because I guess they just thought they could turn up and go and play and beat Hull and just click their fingers and it worked and walk away with the points so that was a worrying thing for me that last weekend but I'm I still yeah I'll go I see them as you guys I'm going to have them fourth or fifth battling with Liverpool for that fourth position yeah that's exactly what I've got I mean you guys have been doing your homework this time haven't you we always do our homework it's as if he's the only one that looks and he's doing a little bit of homework guys I know honestly I've got fifth I've got them fifth United yeah Champions League this year again the squad everything that you guys said totally agree with which is a shame but yeah I've got him in fifth OK

40:02Alan Shearer:we'll give you first dibs on this one Newcastle Allen finished obviously 12th last season bit of a disappointing season following the Cup's success the year before a few players have come in and obviously the big news is if you lose Tonali, Gamarej and Anthony Gordon that's a lot of talent gone out yeah

40:24Gary Lineker:well that was the same talent that finished 12th last season. Can we just stop a minute? Have you noticed how Alan, he was speaking about every team so nicely. Yeah, so different. The voice didn't change one bit. For how long have we been doing? 40 minutes, no change in his voice. As soon as you mentioned Newcastle, oh my God, it goes up a notch, doesn't it? Yeah. That was the same team who finished 12th last season.

40:53Alan Shearer:It got all defensive there straight away. So defensive. Come on, Al. Where are they going to finish?

40:59Gary Lineker:I've been to both of their games. I was at the Carabao Cup game last night as well. And, yeah, I think it'll be a challenging season at times. Plenty of positives out of both of those games they've played. I've got them on the other side of mid-table, down maybe 12th, 13th, 14th, something like that. I like the manager. Yeah, I do. I like him. I like the effort the players are putting in. I feel as though when Newcastle sign these players like Willock and those sort of bench players and Barnes and this, Walter Marley, we need to see a little bit more. We don't know what is happening with his future as well.

41:39But they look more like a team. And I don't know if that's because they've got less quality and just more energy and they're just feeding off the fans. But the two games that Newcastle have played, they've been absolutely brilliant. in all aspects. Creating chances, being strong, aggressive, brave on the ball. Miley in midfield looks really good again after the start he had. He thought he was going to be a superstar and then he got injured and now it looks like he's going to get more game time. So I'm, yeah, I'm quite optimistic about Newcastle. Mid-table, at least.

42:15Gary Lineker:Tell you what, guys, I've seen, I watched him twice in the last two, in the two games. A young boy, 18-year-old, Sean Sturr, I think that's how you pronounce it. Yes, from Ajax. Yeah, him and I think they paid about£20 million for him. He looked at, if he doesn't, he'll have his moments this season without a doubt, but I think there's a top player in there already. I've seen enough of him, the way he takes the ball, the way he handles it in possession and the way that forward pass. I think him and Lewis Miley in the midfield, 18 and 19-year-olds, for those two to go into that midfield against Liverpool's on Sunday It was a big call from the manager and it worked.

42:52Gary Lineker:So I think big things to come from him. If it's not this season, then maybe the season after. But yeah, I've got them just below mid-table.

43:00Alan Shearer:Yeah, I've got exactly the same, Alan. I think they've been ups and downs this season. A bit of a change, but I think they'll be fine though. On to Nottingham Forest. They finished 16th last season. They've now, of course, after about 47 managers last season, they've now got another new one at the start of this. Oliver Glasner, who we know has obviously done wonders at Crystal Palace, but he's gone from there now to Nottingham Forest. They've not really been too active in the transfer market. Obviously, they lost Elliot Anderson, who's a big loss. Diamade is coming from Sporting for 34 million as centre-back.

43:38Alan Shearer:I'll start with this one. I think a relegation fight, but I think they've probably, with Glasner in charge, just about enough to stay up. Yeah, I think names on paper, when you've got Makati, Sangari, you've got Morgan, Gibbs, White, and you've got people like Wood and Jesus, you think they'll be fine? But then two games, no goals, conceded three. And I'm thinking, come on, guys. I know they had chances, but you've got to put these chances away. And if they was to lose again at the weekend, and then it starts to spread in the dressing room, that negative energy. It could be a problem, but I think they've got enough quality to stay in the Premier League, no doubt, but they can't think they've got to do it.

44:26So I think, yeah, they'll stay up, but they could find it difficult and be in that relegation battle.

44:32Gary Lineker:It looks as if they're signing De Lapp as well, doesn't it, from Chelsea? Yeah. For a right few quid, for about 45 or 50 million quid, which is incredible, really. but I think he'll give them enough I would I would because of that I had them in a relegation battle as well guys but they'll have enough because if he does sign which it looks like then I think he will will add that threat in front of goal so yeah just below mid to yeah 15th

45:03Alan Shearer:I've got one slight caveat before we move on is that if they do have a bad start they've got Liverpool at the weekend now as well I know what you're going to say. If they do have a bad start in a few games, if he decides to get rid of Glasner, because he's not beyond the realms of possibility, because he seems to be a very emotional owner. If that happens, then I think all bets could be off and Forrest could go down. But that's that caveat. They need a little bit stability in that dressing room. I think that's really important for them this season. So if you get a bad start, they've got to try and stick with a tried and trusted guy they've got in charge.

45:45Alan Shearer:On to Sunderland, who extraordinarily finished seventh last season and made fools of every single pundit in world football. Reggie Labrie, of course, guided them to the Europa League. They did lose their opening game against Ipswich, conceding in a late one. Not too much in the transfer market. they've brought in Metali from Toulouse and a couple of other players as well so there's not been too much change there but can they possibly do what they did last season they've also got that no that wonderful that wonderful burden of European football well you know what right there was a player liaison who was at Man City at the time used to look after us wonderful wonderful person but you know that social clip at the end of the season as us buffoons saying Sunderland was going to go.

46:38She posted it on a story. She did it on a WhatsApp and she did it on an Instagram. I'm like, you know, I can see this. And we're supposed to be mates, right? She's just like, ha ha, well, you should shut your mouth next time, shouldn't you? She's obviously the play liaison at Sunderland now. She had a pop at you, Micah.

46:56Alan Shearer:She had a friendly pop. Is that going to kind of influence your decision as to where Sunderland will finish the scene? Yes, they're staying up. I don't want to be on the social. Sunderland are so petty that they want to put us upon again. So I'm not going to give them the chance. They're staying up. I know what Alan's going to say. Come on, Al.

47:15Gary Lineker:I think they're in a relegation battle. It'll be a very different season this season to what they had last season with European football, people knowing who and what they are. Yeah, I think they'll stay up, but I think they will be in a relegation battle. But they'll have enough to stay up.

47:30Alan Shearer:I wouldn't disagree on that. I think it'll be almost impossible to do what they did last season in terms of a league position, given the fact they've now got European football as well. They've not brought in a lot of players to help with that yet. So I think the same. I think they'll be OK. I don't think they'll go down, but they could be on the periphery of a relegation fight. On to Super Spurs, Tottenham. Obviously, the last couple of seasons, they've just been above the relegation zone. De Zerbe came in, of course, at the end of last season. Shocking start, getting hammered by Brentford 3-0.

48:10Alan Shearer:Lot, lot of movement. I won't bore you. We're going through all of them. I think we know most of the obvious ones anyway. Loads of players in, loads of players out. Can he make it work? Micah? Yes, he can. I love De Zerbe. I think he's a great manager. I think he says the right things. I think he plays good football. They've brought some good signings though, haven't they? I think once they gel, they'll be fine. I have got Spurs pushing Europa League. Europa League, I've got them in sixth. So yeah, sixth, seventh, around that sort of part of the table. I like Savinho. They've just signed Savinho, haven't they?

48:49Gary Lineker:Savio he wants to be called, not Savinho. Oh, he wants to be called Savio, does he? Yeah, Savio now, isn't it? Not Savinho. Well, I want to be called the king of fucking Manchester. Well, you're not. You're just a nobber.

49:06So, Savinho, I'll call him, because that's what we've been calling for the last seven years. So, I know our viewers or listeners are going to think, ooh, Savio. Yeah, Savio. He looked good the other night for Spurs. Where are they finishing, Micah? Sixth, seventh, if he was listening.

49:22Alan Shearer:I would be hopeful of that. I think that's probably the best they can do. I think given the number of changes that are going on and the bad start, I still think they'll be okay and finish, I think, in a European spot, just about.

49:37Gary Lineker:Yeah, me too. I think they've paid absolute fortune for some of the players. I mean, they've just given Deserby after what he did. There you go, go and spend what you want. I think they've paid a fortune for some players, but I think you're right. Maybe sixth or seventh. I'm going along with you.

49:52Alan Shearer:which will be a huge improvement on the previous two seasons. So, you know, it's the hope that kills you. Alan, just want to be clear on your three relegated clubs.

50:04Gary Lineker:My three relegated clubs will be Hull, Coventry, and I'm going to go Crystal Palace.

50:12Alan Shearer:You are going to go with Palace.

50:14Gary Lineker:Yeah.

50:14Alan Shearer:Okay. Just wanted to clarify that.

50:16Gary Lineker:I think it'll be Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Fulham, all fighting for that last place, but I'm going to go Palace.

50:25Alan Shearer:Okay. We didn't disagree too much on this particular episode. We'll see how we get on. Come April, May, we'll be getting absolutely vilified because we might get one or two incorrect, but I don't think we'll be too far off. We'll see. That's it for this episode of The Rest is Football. if we weren't that kind to your team we're just trying to be honest okay and we hope you do well we hope you do well that's it from us goodbye from me goodbye from me goodbye from me have a great

50:56Gary Lineker:weekend

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