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Jamie Carragher backs Arsenal to win Premier League title with Man City distracted by Champions League but Gary Neville insists Pep Guardiola’s team will ‘hunt’ them down: Sky Sports pundits give mid-season predictions
- Sky experts delivered predictions on many key areas of the Premier League.
- They disagreed on who would win the league and finish in the top four.
- Erling Haaland was the agreed pick to win Player of the Year in May.
Jamie Carragher has backed Arsenal to maintain their good form and win the Premier League in his mid-season predictions.
The Gunners hold a five-point lead at the top of the table with one game to go over their nearest rival Manchester City, but there is still half the season left for Mikel Arteta’s side to see if they win their first title. league in almost 20 years. .
Meanwhile, Gary Neville backed City to go after the Londoners, insisting the defending champions are “still playing” in their quest to defend their crown.
Jamie Carragher has tipped Arsenal to win the league, while Gary Neville has backed Manchester City.
Sky Sports pundits gave their mid-season predictions on Monday Night Football
Carragher (left) and Neville (right) disagreed on various issues as they handed out their picks
“I think the thing about Arsenal is not just the point difference, it’s their performance in the big games,” Carragher said. ‘If you go back to the World Cup final, they swept Brighton, they drew with Newcastle, the best defense in the league, even if they barely crossed the line (against Manchester United on Sunday).
“We all expect City to start, they will, but once they start to get to March and April, I can’t help but think that those City players know that if they win the Champions League, it won’t matter if they don’t win the league. .’
A frustrated Neville replied, ‘I get asked this every 10 minutes right now. Even Arsenal fans must get tired of asking these questions.
Both pundits agreed that City have yet to get going properly and reach their best level this season.
It’s too far to think about the title. Going back to my own experience, I think City are still playing, they haven’t really started this season yet, when they start purring they will hunt down Arsenal.
That doesn’t always work. Blackburn stopped us (Neville’s Manchester United), Newcastle didn’t. The run doesn’t start until nine games.
“I have played three games for Arsenal since the World Cup and I have always been impressed. Forget the first half against Tottenham, they handled it very well in the second half. On Sunday they responded to a goal against and persisted with their football until the end.
“I am very impressed with them, but with the young players I won’t believe it until the end of the season. I’m surprised they’re even in the conversation.
Neville was wary of the potential inexperience would cost Arsenal in the title race.
Carragher backed Newcastle to continue their fine form and finish in the Champions League places this year
Carragher backed Newcastle to finish in the top four, citing his defensive qualities and lack of European football as a deciding factor.
“They are not involved in European football and defensively they are the best team in the league,” he said.
Neville was stumped, before backing Marcelo Bielsa to get Everton out of trouble if he is appointed as Frank Lampard’s replacement at Goodison Park, stating: “I think you can see Bielsa’s influence at Leeds now.” He would side with the fans at Everton.
Both pundits backed Erling Haaland to win the Player of the Year award amid his incredible goal-scoring form, but Carragher was quick to single out Martin Odegaard as a candidate.
Both pundits predicted top scorer Erling Haaland would win the Player of the Year award in May.
“Odegaard has been fantastic this year,” said the former Liverpool defender. “If Arsenal win the title, Odegaard’s role will be vital.
Arsenal have been lucky with injuries. If they take out two or three players at the same time, I don’t think they will integrate into the team. If I were Arteta, I would forget about the Europa League. They will not be in this position next season.
Both Carragher and Neville also backed Arsenal’s Arteta to win the Manager of the Year award.