“We’ll see… “
With most Premier League sides reaching, or nearing, the 19-game mark, it was time for Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher to revisit their predictions from August.
At the start of the league season, the pundits made their predictions for teams and players, as well as picking their ‘top four’. Following the MNF coverage of Newcastle United’s draw with Manchester United, both lads got stuck in.
Four months into the Premier League season and Carragher’s predictions were looking much better. Both men have Manchester City as their predicted champions but the former Liverpool defender’s likely top four has Chelsea and Liverpool next, with Manchester United in fourth. He also called Mo Salah for top scorer and Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe [pictured below] as ‘young talent’.
Carragher’s only really whiff was Jadon Sanho, who has endured a shaky start at Manchester United, as his ‘one to watch’. For Neville, though, his predictions were not looking so hot.
Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their team’s fourth goal against Leeds United. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Gary Neville on his pre-season prediction about Arsenal
When it came to go back over Neville’s predictions, the ones that jumped out were Raphael Varane as ‘one to watch’ and Everton as ‘overachievers’. Both the French defender, who has struggled with injuries, and 15th placed Everton have struggled.
Romelu Lukaku as predicted top scorer was looking good a few weeks into the season, but he has had injury issues. He had United down to finish third, ahead of Liverpool. For ‘underachievers’, he picked Arsenal, who are currently in the fourth after a good run under Mike Arteta.
“To be honest with you,” he began, “with Arsenal, you can flip a coin with them.
“In three weeks, you could be talking about Arsenal [in another way] but, at the moment, I would say they are doing as they should be, but they could still let you down in a few weeks. They are not someone you could trust wholly.”
So achieving, for Neville, but not over-achieving right now.
The punditry pair had a chance to review some predictions. Carragher bumped United out of his top four, for Tottenham, but Neville stuck to his guns.
Remember those August predictions? 👀@Carra23 and @GNev2 take a look at how the Premier League season is unfolding and discuss any changes to their predictions for champions, top four teams and relegation survivors 🔮 pic.twitter.com/BjmYL1QLGH
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 28, 2021
Carragher did argue that he had Sancho as his ‘one to watch’ as he was not entirely convinced of him, from what he saw in the England jersey, and he wanted to see more of him in the Premier League.
