Shearer, however, added that Arsenal will regain their five-point advantage when they take on Spurs on Sunday.
By Kehinde Okeowo
English pundit and former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer has predicted that Manchester City will beat the Magpies on Saturday, moving within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Sharing his views on the Week 27 fixtures while analysing the matches for Betfair on Friday, Shearer discussed the upcoming clash at the Etihad.
”It’s going to be a minimum of five games that Newcastle play Man City this season; it could even be six, depending on what happens in the Champions League,” Shearer said. “If Newcastle were to get through the Round of 16 as well as Man City, they could meet each other again, but five times are guaranteed with the draw in the FA Cup.”
He added: “With Newcastle’s form at the Etihad, it would take a brave man to predict anything other than a Man City win. As much as it hurts me, I’ll say Man City.”
The Title Race and North London Derby
Shearer suggested the title race is back in the balance after Arsenal dropped points against Wolves. Despite this, he expects Mikel Arteta’s team to defeat their North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, when they clash on Sunday.
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”Arsenal have to win the game; it’s pretty simple. It would be a disaster if they didn’t,” Shearer noted. “They’re not in great form—losing a 2-0 lead in the way they did against Wolves—so they go into it under huge pressure. It might even be more if City beat Newcastle on Saturday night. But Spurs give me no confidence, even with the ‘new manager bounce’ they’d hope for, so I’m going for an Arsenal away win.”
Villa vs. Leeds and the Everton Draw
The ex-England forward further asserted that Aston Villa will be too hot to handle for visiting Leeds United at Villa Park.
”Leeds are tough to beat. The system tweak that Daniel Farke made a few weeks back has been working and Dominic Calvert-Lewin is obviously a handful.,” he said.
The ex-England forward countinued, “I think if this game had been at Elland Road, I might have gone for a different outcome, but with it being at Villa Park, I think Villa will win this one.”
Shearer, however, fancies Everton to hold Manchester United to a draw, despite the Red Devils’ recent form. “It is a tough one, but I think the atmosphere will be amazing and it’ll be tough for Man United regardless of the good form they are in. I’m going to say a draw.”
Other Week 27 Predictions:
“Chelsea vs Burnley: Prediction – Chelsea win.”
“West Ham vs Bournemouth: Prediction – Draw.”
“Brentford vs Brighton: Prediction – Brentford win.”
“Crystal Palace vs Wolves: Prediction – Crystal Palace win.”
“Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool: Prediction – Liverpool win.”
“Sunderland v Fulham: Prediction – Sunderland win.”
