NEWCASTLE are going to stun Manchester City and win the Premier League title this season.
That is according to former City manager Stuart Pearce, who is confident the Magpies will end his former club's reign of dominance and lift their first league trophy since 1927.
The Toon have been on the rise since their £300million takeover by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in 2021 as they finished fourth in the Premier League last season.
Pearce believes in Eddie Howe's side due to the recent recruitment and the excitement at St James' Park after the club qualified for this season's Champions League.
The former Newcastle star believes Pep Guardiola will also struggle without Kevin De Bruyne.
Jurgen Klopp's approach with Robert Lewandowski bodes well for Darwin Nunez
De Bruyne has been sidelined with a hamstring injury that could rule him out until the New Year.
The Nottingham Forest legend believes the playmaker's absence will also affect last season's top goalscorer Erling Haaland's performances.
And the former England international insists this Saturday's Premier League clash between Newcastle and City will be a major indicator of who could lift the trophy in May.
Pearce told talkSPORT as he stunned Alan Brazil and Ray Parlour with his prediction: "To be honest with you, I think they win the league this year. I'm gonna stick my neck out.
"With the recruitment they've done, how they've sort of gone in, how things are at Newcastle.
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
"I've been up there a couple of times last year and the place is absolutely rocking.
"I think, if they keep everyone fit and have a good run of it [Newcastle could win the Prem].
"And I think this game on Saturday evening could be an indicator of whether they have got credentials.
"To be fair, I think with Manchester City losing De Bruyne for a length of time, I think that will impact directly on Haaland as well.
Celtic icon Frank McGarvey dies aged 66 as tributes paid to hero after cancer fight
"I think that will hurt them a lot, so that's probably why I'm looking at Newcastle."
