EPL: Gary Neville Revises Top-Four Prediction, Names Title Contenders

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has openly admitted that the outcomes from the opening weekend of the English Premier League (EPL) 2025/2026 season have forced him to reconsider his earlier top-four prediction.

On the first matchday, Liverpool sealed a 4-2 victory over Bournemouth, while reigning champions Manchester City comfortably beat Wolves 4-0. Meanwhile, Arsenal narrowly defeated Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in a closely contested clash that attracted huge attention.

Neville Rethinks Manchester United’s Prospects

The result of Arsenal’s win at Old Trafford has led Neville to adjust his initial stance on how the season may unfold. Just a week earlier, the football pundit and Sky Sports analyst had predicted that United, under new management, would finish outside the top four—somewhere between sixth and eighth position.

However, after carefully assessing United’s display against the Gunners, Neville now believes that his former club could surpass expectations. According to him, the performance, despite the loss, showed strong promise.

“When I watched Manchester United against Arsenal, I thought the performance was very good, and I think they’ll still bring in a goalkeeper,” Neville told Sky Sports in his post-match analysis.

He added:

“If you bring a top goalkeeper into that squad, combined with their attacking options and the advantage of not playing European football this season, I genuinely think United will surprise people by finishing in the top four.”

Neville emphasized that although the result was a defeat, his evaluation was based on performance levels, which he considers a more reliable long-term measure.

“Last week, I had them placed between sixth and eighth, but I was impressed. Yesterday was a loss, but if they keep playing with that intensity, they’ll win plenty of games,” he explained.

Who Will Win the Premier League Title?

When pressed to pick his title favorites, Neville refrained from naming a clear frontrunner. Instead, he insisted that Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal all stand on equal ground in the race for the domestic crown.

The Sky Sports pundit, however, suggested that a crucial signing could tilt the balance in Arsenal’s favor. Specifically, Neville highlighted the potential impact of Viktor Gyökeres, whose arrival could strengthen Arsenal’s attacking options.

“I think Liverpool, City, and Arsenal all have an equal chance of winning the Premier League,” Neville said.

He continued:

“I won’t go as far as guaranteeing Arsenal the title, but I believe they have the right ingredients. They just need to solve their forward-line concerns, and if they manage to bring in Viktor Gyökeres, that could make the difference.”

Final Thoughts

Neville’s change of heart highlights how early-season performances can reshape expectations in football. While City and Liverpool remain strong contenders, Arsenal’s growing consistency and United’s promising performance despite defeat have already made the 2025/26 season look unpredictable.