Gary Lineker picks who will win Premier League title as BBC host refuses to U-turn

Gary Lineker remains convinced that Manchester City are the frontrunners for the Premier League title despite a weekend of shocks shaking up the title race. City suffered a setback on their travels, falling to a spirited Bournemouth side at the Vitality Stadium.

Josko Gvardiol’s late header served merely as a consolation in a 2-1 defeat, their first in the league since December. Arsenal also stumbled earlier on Saturday.

They succumbed to a 1-0 loss at St James’ Park in the 12:30 kick-off, with Alexander Isak’s first-half header handing Newcastle victory. Liverpool, meanwhile, capitalised on these slip-ups.

Arne Slot’s Reds rallied from a goal down to clinch a 2-1 victory over Brighton at Anfield, propelling them to the summit of the league. It’s a position not many expected them to be in following Jurgen Klopp’s departure.

Nonetheless, Lineker, alongside his Match of the Day colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, maintained that the current champions are the team to beat. On The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer argued: “I would still say the favourites are Man City, but it’s close.

“Liverpool have been much better than I thought they would be. I didn’t think they’d be challenging but they are, there’s no doubt about that.

“I don’t think they’re going to go away. I’ve been disappointed with Arsenal and I tipped them before the season started. You’d still say Man City are just favourites because they’ve been around the block.”

Last season, Lineker had backed Arsenal to end their title drought, but after their failure to topple City for the second successive straight season, he plucked for Pep Guardiola’s side. Remaining confident in his choice, Lineker said: “I think I agree.

“City have been there, done it four times on the bounce now. You wonder if that will catch up with them at some point because it’s so difficult to keep having that absolute drive that gets them over the line.

“I would say they’re still favourites. I backed them at the start of the season and I wouldn’t change my mind now.

“Liverpool are genuine title contenders and I think that’s been a surprise. Following in the enormous shoes of Jurgen Klopp was always going to be difficult but Slot looks like a perfect fit.”

Former City star Richards echoed those sentiments, with his old side just two points behind Liverpool while Arsenal are now eight adrift. “I would still go with Man City just because of what’s happened in the past. I would still say they’re favourites, just,” he added.