Man United title contenders, Liverpool finish sixth and Newcastle end trophy drought – talkSPORT hosts deliver their bold Premier League predictions

The Premier League returns this weekend and at talkSPORT we can’t wait to see what the season has in store for us.

Renowned as one of the most exciting leagues in world, it’s the twists and turns throughout the 38-game season that will leave supporters gripped throughout.

While many followers of the Premier League will be able to predict certain outcomes – such as Erling Haaland to score a hat-full of goals – talkSPORT’s Drive hosts decided to have a go at making a few less predictable predictions.

These are predictions that go against the general consensus, so what do Darren Bent and Andy Goldstein expect to happen during the 2024/25 season?

Here are the talkSPORT duo’s bold predictions…

Darren Bent

Dominic Solanke to score 20+ Premier League goals

“Dominic Solanke has never hit 20 in the Premier League goals in a season.

“For Solanke, 19 goals last season, he’s now ready for that big club.

“He had a little stint at Chelsea when he was young, he went to Liverpool and it didn’t quite happen, but at Spurs I reckon he will score 20+ goals this season.

“If he can get a first goal early in the season it will give him so much confidence. It just settles everything down if he can score early.”

Aston Villa will successfully juggle the Premier League and Champions League

“Aston Villa will get to the Champions League quarter-finals. They’re going for it.

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“Last time they were in the Champions League in 1981/82, they won it.

“I don’t think they’ll drop off in the Premier League. It might suffer a little bit but I don’t think it’ll be anything drastic – they won’t finish 10^th or anything.”

Arsenal will win the Premier League

“They’ve not won the league since 2003/04, I think this is their time.

“We’ll spread the goals out, I think we’re solid defensively – we’ll find a way to do it.

“Our two centre-halves are incredible, David Raya is a permanent signing so after being close two years on the bounce, I believe this is their time.

“If City are to have a dip, I think Arsenal will be the next best team to exploit that.”

Ipswich will finish in the top 10

“Last time they got promoted in 1999/00 they finished fifth. Fifth, in their first season back – that’s incredible!

“George Burley was the miracle-worker last time, this time it’ll be Kieran McKenna.

“I think they’ll finish top 10.”

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Newcastle will win a trophy

“They haven’t won the FA Cup since 1955, they were runners up in 97/98 and 98/99 and they’ve never won the League Cup.

“Their last trophy, if you can call it that, was the Intertoto Cup in 2006.

“I think that this year Newcastle will win a domestic cup.”

Andy Goldstein

Enzo Maresca will be sacked by end of season

“By Christmas, Chelsea will be eighth and I think he will go then. He’ll either be sacked or he will walk.

“That club is an absolute basket case of a club – they’re bringing in so many new players and Maresca won’t know his best team ever.

“When you bring in a lot of big names for a lot of money, a lot of these players aren’t going to get a look in.

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“I think the job’s too big for him.”

Man United will still be in the title race in April

“I think they’ll be within two wins, or five points away from the leaders – whoever that might be.

“I think Man United will be there or thereabouts.

“I still think another player will come in and I hope that the defence will be settled and we’ve got so many attacking options.

“By March or April, we’ll be second or third.”

Eddie Howe will get the England job and Scott Parker will take the Newcastle job

“Scotty Parker is going to smash it in the Championship and by January Burnley will be absolutely flying.

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“He’ll be thinking ‘I could leave them because I’ll leave them in a good place’.

“Lee Carsley will do a good job as interim manager but they’ll be looking for a new manager long-term.

“I don’t think Newcastle will be doing that well in the Premier League, the pressure will be on Eddie Howe and that means that he’ll say ‘I’ve had a great time’ and go and manage England.

“Then ex-Newcastle midfielder Scott Parker will be flying high and go there.”

Arsenal won’t finish in the top two

“I think Manchester City will be up there, Liverpool won’t be, but Manchester United will.

“I don’t think Arsenal will have a good season, I think they’ll be found out.

“I don’t think Mikel Arteta is good enough to get them over the line. I really don’t.”

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Liverpool won’t finish in the top five

“I’m deadly serious.

“When any new manager comes into a big club the expectations are so high that very rarely do they produce the goods.

“I just don’t think it’ll happen.”