Revealed: Alan Shearer makes his 1-20 Premier League ranking predictions as he believes a top club will miss out on the Champions League – and reveals what Arsenal must do to become champions

Alan Shearer has made some bold predictions for the Premier League ahead of the 2024-25 season which starts on Friday.

The new season is once again packed with exciting stories, with Manchester City aiming to become the first club in history to win five consecutive league titles.

Arsenal hope to spoil the party and end their 21-year wait for a Premier League trophy. Liverpool are also expected to be among the challengers under new manager Arne Slot.

Meanwhile, Man United will be hoping to return to competition after a disappointing 2023-24 campaign that saw them finish in eighth place, with manager Erik Ten Hag only able to keep his job thanks to an FA Cup final victory.

And former Newcastle striker Shearer expects the Red Devils’ misery to continue for a while longer. He predicts that the 20-time champions will miss out on the Champions League by a hair’s breadth and finish in fifth place.

Former Newcastle striker Shearer has low expectations for Manchester United this season

Speaking to Betfair, the BBC analyst said: ‘Like all managers, Ten Hag will be under pressure’

Manchester City are hoping to become the first team in history to win five consecutive league titles

Speaking to Betfair, the BBC analyst said: “Like all managers, Ten Hag will be under pressure. It wasn’t a nice situation for him as everyone knew that the bosses at Man United had spoken to other managers and made it public, so he wasn’t put in a nice position last season but that’s been forgotten.

“They have said that he is the man to take them forward and that they want some stability.

“It’s an important season for him and Man United because they have to improve a lot in the league. They won a trophy like last year, but in terms of the league position they have to improve.

‘I was quite impressed with them in the Community Shield and with the additions they’re going to make over the next few days, I’m sure they’ll improve.’

Shearer also gave a negative impression of Chelsea, who have spent a lot of money this transfer window, most recently signing Pedro Neto from Wolves for £54m.

The analyst, who won the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers in 1995, believes the west London club will finish ninth despite spending heavily last summer.

He said: ‘Chelsea are an unusual club because of what they have done, the number of players they have signed, the money they have spent and the things they have done, plus the decision to sack Mauricio Pochettino when they did.

‘I don’t see them getting into the top four at all. They’re not ready yet.’

It’s good news for Arsenal, as the legendary striker will help the Gunners finally win their fourth Premier League title, but only if they can find a striker before the transfer market collapses.

Shearer also gave a negative forecast for Chelsea, who have spent a lot of money in this transfer window

It’s good news for Arsenal as the legendary striker backs the Gunners to finally win a fourth Premier League title

Shearer is excited about the Gunners’ new signing, centre-back Riccardo Calafiori

In a sensational claim, the former England international expects Newcastle to finish fourth

Shearer said: “I think it’s going to be a really tight battle for the Premier League title this season and I can see more than just two teams fighting for it. I think the usual teams that you would expect to be there and have spent a few quid will put themselves in a better position than they were last year.

‘So much can happen in the transfer window. If Arsenal sign a statement striker, I really think they have a great chance of winning the title.

“I think that could make the difference for them. Think how brilliant they were defensively last season, but now they’ve spent a fortune on another really, really good defender in Riccardo Calafiori. I still think they need to strengthen that striker position and that could make the difference.

‘There will be a few ifs because that’s what happens before a ball is kicked. Even with Newcastle and the potential signing of Marc Guehi. He’s what they need and if they can secure his signing then I hope they can get into a Champions League position. That’s why it’s hard to predict things at the moment.

‘I think it will be between Manchester City and Arsenal again, but if Arsenal can sign a striker then I expect them to win the title this year.’

Elsewhere, Shearer predicts one of his former teams will finish in the top four for the second time in three seasons and another will be relegated.

The former England international expects Newcastle to finish fourth having not played in European football this season.

However, Shearer said he would rather see his boyhood club win their first major domestic trophy since 1969 than give himself another year of European football.

Meanwhile, the former Southampton player predicts the Saints will drop back to the Championship and finish in 19th place.

He predicts an exciting relegation battle, but thinks that the three who were promoted, including Ipswich and Leicester, will return straight to the Second Division.

As for the battle for the Golden Boot, Shearer, who knows his way around scoring the ball, believes Man City’s Erling Haaland is an obvious contender, but others will also be in contention.

Meanwhile, the ex-Southampton player predicts the Saints will drop back to the Championship

As for the race for the Golden Boot, Shearer, who knows a thing or two about scoring the ball, thinks Man City’s Erling Haaland is an obvious contender.

Dominic Solanke is Shearers’ outsider to impress this year after securing a move to Spurs

‘If he stays fit, the obvious choice is Erling Haaland. Mo Salah didn’t score as many goals as he would have liked last season.

‘I’m really looking forward to watching Dominic Solanke this season as he looks to continue the great season he had at Bournemouth last year.

‘I’m sure he’ll get more chances at Spurs. I hope he does well.’