Gary Neville predicts Arsenal will win Premier League title on May 19
Former England defender Gary Neville expects Arsenal to be crowned Premier League champions on 19 May after predicting Manchester City will drop crucial points against Bournemouth.
The league leaders currently maintain a five-point advantage over the reigning champions following a vital 1-0 victory against West Ham on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s side still hold a vital game in hand over their main title rivals.
Rearranged fixtures create a title twist
That extra fixture has been pushed back due to this weekend’s FA Cup final commitments against Chelsea.
Both challengers are heavily tipped to secure routine victories in their immediate midweek domestic matchups.
The Manchester club host Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening, while the Gunners welcome Burnley to north London.
Speaking on his podcast, the pundit forecast a definitive and unexpected twist during the subsequent round of matches.
“I think City beat Palace, I think Arsenal beat Burnley and I think Arsenal win it, Tuesday night on the 19th of May by City not doing the job at Bournemouth,” Neville stated.
A stumbling block on the south coast
The former Manchester United captain acknowledged the relentless nature of the chasing pack.
“Look, it can happen all sorts of different ways and Manchester City, to be fair have got that ability to go right until the end,” he added.
A gruelling and condensed schedule awaits the cup finalists over the coming week.
Securing a domestic double remains a significant possibility for the defending champions despite the heavy workload.
“But I think this is a hammer blow for City really. They’ve got the game on Wednesday against Palace, they’ve got the cup final against Chelsea on Saturday so they can win a domestic double, which is a big achievement,” Neville explained.
Farewell factor at the Vitality Stadium
The quick turnaround for their crucial league trip down south appears highly problematic for a fatigued squad.
The upcoming clash also marks Andoni Iraola’s final match in charge of the Cherries.
“And then they go to Bournemouth on Tuesday and I think that might be a step too far with how Bournemouth are right now. Being Iraola’s last game at Bournemouth and just the fact that they’re a good side,” he concluded.