Newcastle United have endured a tough summer but Alan Shearer is remaining optimistic.
Alan Shearer believes Newcastle United will finish fifth this season despite their ongoing transfer situation.
In doing so, the Magpies could secure a Champions League spot via UEFA’s back door - just as they did last time out. England earned an extra spot in Europe’s prestige competition due to how Premier League sides performed on the continent in 2024-25.
Eddie Howe must deal with added fixture pressures - a feat Newcastle struggled to achieve two years ago. To make matters worse, the Magpies are looking threadbare just eight days before the top-flight campaign kicks off.
Newcastle United’s transfer woes
Anthony Elanga has been the only summer addition despite Howe calling for swift action in the market. Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff - two dependable backup options in recent years - have also moved on.
Combined with Alexander Isak’s desire to leave, Newcastle are hardly prepared ahead of what will be a busy season. Toon chiefs have failed to land a string of top targets, with Dean Huijsen, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Bryan Mbeumo, Hugo Ekitike and James Trafford moving elsewhere.
Benjamin Sesko is yet to confirm his decision but reports suggest Manchester United are leading the race. Despite the countless setbacks, Howe remains steadfast that work is ongoing behind the scenes to ensure arrivals before the September 1 deadline.
Alan Shearer predictions for 2025-26
Club icon Shearer is remaining optimistic in spite of recent events. He has tipped Newcastle to finish fifth next season - a position most supporters would snap his hand off for right now.
Interestingly, the Magpies are placed one spot higher than Man United - adding a possible twist to the Sesko saga. Shearer thinks Liverpool will win the league again to retain the title for the first time since 1984.
Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are backed to make up the rest of the top four - the same as last season. Sunderland fans might want to look away as Shearer has backed Newcastle’s rivals for relegation.
The Black Cats have made a fist of the market by spending £130million, with former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka swapping Bayer Leverkusen for the Stadium of Light. Leeds United and Burnley make up Shearer’s bottom three, with the promoted clubs going straight back down in the past two Premier League seasons.
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Alan Shearer’s final Premier League table
1. Liverpool
2. Arsenal
3. Man City
4. Chelsea
5. Newcastle United
6. Manchester United
7. Aston Villa
8. Tottenham Hotspur
9. Nottingham Forest
10. Brighton & Hove Albion
11. Bournemouth
12. Crystal Palace
13. Everton
14. Wolverhampton Wanderers
15. Fulham
16. West Ham United
17. Brentford
18. Leeds United
19. Sunderland
20. Burnley
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