Gary Neville has tipped Arsenal to finish below Manchester City and even Manchester United in third place, despite the Gunners' big lead at the Premier League summit.
Arsenal maintained their great form with a 2-0 win over north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday to move eight points clear of City, who lost 2-1 to United on Saturday.
That is Arsenal's biggest lead in the competition after the same number of games as the side below them since the final day of the 2003-04 season, when they last won the title.
Man United and Newcastle United are a point further back, meanwhile, with the latter having played a game more than the rest of the top four.
But while many are now backing Arsenal to end their long wait for top-flight glory, United legend Neville is expecting them to finish as low as third.
Asked if Arsenal will win the Premier League, Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast: "No. But I said Leicester City wouldn't win the league...
"I don't think they will win the league. Manchester City will win the league, and I think Man Utd will finish second, and I know that will annoy Arsenal fans.
"I'd rather Arsenal win the league than Man City. I think it would be absolutely sensational for the Premier League.
"I think about watching the Premier League, we've seen City sweep up, apart from Liverpool, over the past five years.
"To think Arsenal could come and win it, it adds to our league, it makes our league great. I'd love Man Utd to win it, but I don't think that's going to happen this season."
Arsenal's return of 47 points after 18 matches is the fourth most of any side at this stage of a Premier League season, having dropped just seven points all campaign.
However, Neville has backed City to string together a run of victories as they so often have – with Arsenal still to play home and away – and win a fifth title in six seasons.
"The reality of it is, I think at some point Man City will hit a run. Once they do, they've got to play Arsenal twice," Neville said.
"At some point, there will be a very difficult period for Arsenal this season. Is it conceivable that Arsenal are going to continue as they are? I don't think it is.
"Could they draw two and lose one in a three-game period, and if they did that, their lead is gone, and the pack is up with them? That's what I think is going to happen.
"We'll see a traditional Premier League season where a team goes out, the pacemaker, and then they'll get drawn back in a little bit.
"But I still think that this season is going to be far better for Arsenal than I ever imagined it would be."
Arsenal are set to face United in their next league outing on Sunday, while City host Tottenham on Thursday and Wolves on Sunday.
'Please, doubt us' – Dias dares Man City's critics
Ruben Dias has dared Manchester City's critics to "doubt us" after the Premier League champions' four-game losing streak.
Pep Guardiola lost four straight matches in all competitions for the first time in his managerial career as City capitulated in a 2-1 loss to Brighton on Saturday.
That loss came on the back of a 4-1 defeat to Sporting CP – coached by new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim – in the Champions League, as well as a reverse to Bournemouth in the Premier League and an EFL Cup exit at the hands of Tottenham.
City are five points behind league leaders Liverpool, but Dias shrugged off the doubters.
"I would say, please doubt us, doubt us, feel welcome to do so," the centre-back told reporters.
"When we did the treble, we even called it the dark January. We had a tough period. But it is what it is.
"What matters is how you bounce back from these moments. That's why our team has won so much because in moments of difficulty, the characters come up and we stay together.
"We don't find people to kill, we find people to bring into the cause and fight together.
"That's what we need to do once again. Until it's done, it's not done."
City's losing run combined with Liverpool's excellent form has seen a swing in the Opta supercomputer's predictions.
The model now has Liverpool as the favourites, with a 60.3% chance of winning the title.
'Legend' Van Nistelrooy departs Man Utd after Amorim arrival
Manchester United have confirmed Ruud van Nistelrooy has departed the club following Ruben Amorim's arrival at Old Trafford.
Van Nistelrooy returned to the club in July on a two-year contract as an assistant to Erik ten Hag.
He was placed in interim charge after Erik ten Hag's dismissal last month.
The 48-year-old oversaw four games during his temporary tenure, earning victories over Leicester City in the EFL Cup and PAOK in the Europa League. United were then held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea, but Van Nistelrooy signed off in style with a 3-0 win over the Foxes in the Premier League on Sunday.
But Amorim, who began his new role on Monday, has decided against retaining the Dutchman's services, with the club saying the full men's first team coaching composition will be announced in due course.
"Ruud is and always will be a Manchester United legend," the club said in a statement.
"We are grateful for his contribution and the way in which he approached his role throughout his time with the club. He will always be very welcome at Old Trafford."
Assistant Rene Hake, goalkeeping coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar and analyst Pieter Morel have also left the club.
However, former United midfielder Darren Fletcher will remain in his coaching role and continue his link between the first team and the academy.
Pereira replaces Amorim as Sporting head coach
Sporting CP have confirmed Joao Pereira as the club's new head coach following Ruben Amorim's departure to Manchester United.
Pereira, who made 154 appearances across three different spells with Sporting, has put pen to paper on a deal that runs through until 2027 with the Primeira Liga champions.
The 40-year-old also appeared five times under Amorim during the 2020-21 season, a campaign that saw Sporting claim their first top-flight title in 19 years.
Pereira has previously managed Sporting's Under-23 side, taking charge of 53 games and winning 20 of those (D17 L16), averaging 1.45 points per match.
He most recently took charge of Sporting's B team, but oversaw just 11 matches, and he is relishing the opportunity of leading the club after the international break.
"As a player, Sporting gave me a lot, allowing me to play for the national team, join one of the best leagues in the world and return home twice," Pereira said.
"I only repaid them with a Super Cup and a national championship, which felt more like their gift to me.
"That’s something I regret, so as a coach I’d like to repay them with more titles because Sporting deserve it.
"If I had doubts and thought things might go wrong, I wouldn’t be here. It hasn’t even crossed my mind that it could go poorly.
"I know we’ll face challenges, but I believe it will go well."
But Pereira has a tough act to follow, with Amorim ending his glittering stint with the club on a high after a 4-2 win over Braga on Sunday.
Amorim won 164 of his 231 games in charge of Sporting, averaging a win percentage of 71%, which is a club record.
During his time in charge, only Manchester City (127) won more matches than his Sporting team (122) across Europe's top 10 leagues.
"Ruben leaves behind a legacy, and that legacy isn’t only in titles, victories, and records but also in the unity he built among the Sporting family," Pereira added.
"I know this brings great responsibility, but that responsibility comes hand-in-hand with a strong ambition and motivation to continue making Sporting a winning club with a bright future.”
Pereira's first assignment will come in the Taca de Portugal against fourth-tier side Amarante on November 22, before welcoming Arsenal to the Estadio Jose Alvalade in the Champions League five days later.
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