Sky pundits’ big season preview

Manchester United to win the league? Defending champions Leicester City to finish mid-table? Our Sky Sports’ pundits have given us their Premier League predictions…

We asked Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Thierry Henry, Graeme Souness and Jamie Redknapp to provide their tips ahead of the upcoming campaign, which kicks off on Saturday afternoon when Leicester travel to Hull City, live on Sky Sports.

Who will win the league? Which teams will make the top four? Can Harry Kane defend his Golden Boot? And where will Leicester finish? Here’s what the Sky Sports’ panel had to say…

Who would be your early tip to win the Premier League?

NEVILLE: Man Utd

They have a manager and two new players with personality and stature. With Jose Mourinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba – and a couple of players who were already there – there’s an arrogance back in the club and the city.

There are players wearing that shirt who will stick their chests out – and that’s what Manchester United are all about.

CARRAGHER: Man City

Over the last couple of years I’ve argued they have the best squad, but they haven’t produced, really, and I think the hunger will come back under Pep Guardiola.

Of course, they need more signings, but they have some special players there already in David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne. Those three can be right up there with any in the league.

HENRY: Man City

My hope is always Arsenal. That’s a massive hope at the moment, but I think it will be between City and United. I have to go for someone so I will say City.

Guardiola has succeeded straight away wherever he has gone and I know how he’s going to ask those guys to play. If they understand what he wants they are going to be successful.

REDKNAPP: Man City

I’ll go for them, but they’ve got to keep Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero fit. They were massive underachievers last year, lacking the spirit you need to win the title, but I think they’ll win it this season.

SOUNESS: Man Utd

I think it will be one of the Manchester teams. If Ibrahimovic can fire on all cylinders – and I think there is a good year left in him – he will inspire those around him.

He’s someone who I enjoy. I enjoy his arrogance because he’s someone who can back it up. I think he could be the difference.

Who will make up the rest of the top four?

NEVILLE: 1. Man Utd 2. Arsenal 3. Man City 4. Liverpool

I will say Man Utd for the title with Arsenal in second, Manchester City in third and Liverpool fourth.

But if anybody is reading this and thinks I know what I’m talking about, then I need to make it clear that I really don’t have a clue!

CARRAGHER: 1. Man City 2. Chelsea 3. Man Utd 4. Liverpool

With no European football, I think Chelsea will do well because they’ll have more time together on the training pitch. Only 12 months ago they were champions and we shouldn’t forget that, while Antonio Conte is a top manager.

I think Liverpool will also benefit from not having European football.

HENRY: 1. Man City 2. Man Utd. 3. Chelsea 4. Arsenal

This is very hard to call. Chelsea don’t have any European competition to play, so that will be an advantage for them, but it might take them a little time to gel and adapt to what Conte wants. It’s the same for Mourinho at Man Utd. It’s the same at City with …

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