After a torrid pre-season both on and off the pitch, all focus now at Newcastle United is on the opening weekend game against trip to Aston Villa ahead of what will be a long, gruelling season.

As to how we’ll do this season, the jury’s still out. The addition of eight Champions League games this season could wreak havoc on our fitness levels like it did two seasons ago, whilst we enter the season with added pressure of reaching the top five again and defending our Carabao Cup crown.

But there’s positive signs as well, owing to a formidable starting XI and managerial team which are amongst the very best in the entire league.

Alan Shearer has now weighed in on how he thinks we’ll fare this season, and the normally confident Shearer has some doubts about how we’ll get on after a turbulent window and difficult start to the season.

Shearer and co. release Newcastle predictions

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast alongside Gary Lineker and Micah Richards, the trio discussed how they think each Premier League will perform this season.

And when discussing Eddie Howe’s side, Shearer seemed to have his doubts over whether or not we can match the heights of the 24/25 campaign.

“Disaster pre-season. Honestly where do I start?” As far as I can remember I don’t think they’ve won a game.”

“It’s just a wait and see for Newcastle I think, it’s a tough start. They’ve got Villa away, Liverpool at home and the pre-season’s been a nightmare. Ask me again in 3-4 weeks at the end of the window!”

Lineker chimed in “I’m gonna go midtable” which was met with a bewildered reaction by Shearer “You’re gonna go that far down are we?”

Shearer closed his thoughts saying “I’m gonna go 5-6th.” To which Lineker added that if we added a decent striker to the mix, then a European spot seems most likely.

Richards controversially believes that we’ll finish 8-9th, conditioning that we’ll finish “a little bit better than that” should Isak stay this summer.”

Shearer’s title favourites and relegation candidates?

On paper, we could be set for one of the tightest title races in recent memory.

Defending champions Liverpool looked shaky in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace, Manchester City have strengthened considerably in 2025, Arsenal might finally have answered their striker woes by signing Viktor Gyokeres, and you simply can’t rule out Chelsea after their recent Club World Cup triumph.

The podcast’s consensus looks to be that Liverpool will retain their Premier League crown however, owing to their strong window, with Shearer commenting “I don’t think they’ll be finished in the window as well. They’ll still look for a player or two so yeah I’ve got them for the title.”

At the opposite end of the table however, Shearer believes we could be on for a repeat of the last two seasons and see all three of Leeds, Burnley and of course Sunderland going straight back down.

On Sunderland, Shearer said “The same as the other promoted teams: they’ll struggle and it’ll be really tough for them, so I’ve got them being relegated again.”

Of the three promoted sides however, Shearer backs Leeds to have the best chance of survival in the inevitable relegation battle, thanks to a good window which included signing Sean Longstaff, and the backing of the Elland Road home crowd.