‘To be honest’ - Pundit makes shock Newcastle United Premier League title prediction

Stuart Pearce has insisted Newcastle United can defy the odds and win the Premier League this season.

The former England defender spent time seasons at St James Park after joining the Magpies in the summer of 1997 before going on to end his playing career and moving into coaching and management with Manchester City.

Both of Pearce’s former clubs got their Premier League seasons off to winning starts as Erling Haaland scored twice in City’s 3-0 victory at Burnley last Friday before Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak all netted in the Magpies’ 5-1 hammering of Aston Villa just under 24 hours later.

All focus is now on Saturday evening when Eddie Howe’s side travel to the Etihad to take on a City side that will be without the services of influential midfielder Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgian star limped out of last weekend’s win at Turf Moor.

Pearce was asked about Newcastle’s chances of success in the Premier League this season and he surprisingly stated his belief his former club could claim their first top flight title since Hughie Gallagher captained the Magpies to the Division One championship in 1927.

“To be honest with you, I think they’ll win the league this season,” Pearce told talkSPORT.

“I think Newcastle, with the recruitment they’ve done, how they’ve (the owners) just gone in, how things are, I’ve been up there a couple of times and the place is rocking. If they keep everyone fit and have a good run at it, and this game on Saturday evening could be a good indicator over if they have the credentials.

“When I went up there to play I couldn’t believe the atmosphere, it was just incredible. It was arguably one of the best I’ve played in because of the excitement and intensity. That all dropped away in the resulting years but I’ll tell you what, I’ve never known excitement and euphoria up there at the football club and the city.

“The football club is brilliant and to be fair with Manchester City losing De Bruyne for a length of time, that will impact on Haaland as well. It’ll hurt them a lot and that’s probably why I’m looking at Newcastle.”