Gary Neville’s Premier League finish prediction involving Leeds United, Newcastle and Aston Villa

Gary Neville speaks on how clubs below Brentford would do well to watch themselves going into 2022
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The former Manchester United player, Gary Neville, has recently been expressing his views on who should be most fearful of the end of season relegation.

The 46-year-old who has been working as a Sky Sports pundit on and off since he left the pitch has offered his opinion on those most at risk of dropping to the Championship in 2022.

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Neville is England’s most-capped right-back with 85 caps and played for his country between 1995 and 2007.

He is one of the most decorated English and European footballers of all time, as he has won a total of 20 trophies, including eight Premier League titles and two Champions League titles.

The right-back made 400 appearances for Manchester United (a team where he spent his entire career) and was the second-longest serving player at the club behind his teammate, Ryan Giggs.

The Premier League is nearing its half way point in the 2021/22 season and Neville used his role as a pundit to voice who he feels should be concerned as the clubs head into 2022.

Neville playing for Man Utd back in 2010Neville playing for Man Utd back in 2010
Neville playing for Man Utd back in 2010
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He has expressed concern for all the clubs sitting below Wolves and Brentford. The middle-order of the Premier League, where Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Everton and Leeds United all sit, is fairly congested making every game count in order to stay safe.

What has Gary Neville said?

Speaking with Jamie Carragher to Sky Sports, Neville has said Southampton are in no place to pani just yet when it comes to relegation.

“I do not think that Everton will go down but all the way up to, probably, 13th there will always be a level of concern.

“I do think that those bottom four teams (Norwich, Newcastle, Burnley and Watford are the four teams that you will be looking at.

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“At the end of the day, there is a long old way to go. Even with only ten games to go or five games to go in the Premier League we have seen clubs put together miraculous runs to get out of it.

Southampton lost 3-0 to Arsenal on SaturdaySouthampton lost 3-0 to Arsenal on Saturday
Southampton lost 3-0 to Arsenal on Saturday

“There is no need for teams to panic. Even if they look at the table and it can be a little bit depressing, there are so many points to play for.

“The bottom four will be the most concerned but any side up to Brentford will be looking over their shoulder and thinking that every point is critical to pull them away from the bottom three.”

Do Southampton need to be worried?

Saints are currently 16th in the Premier League and have earned 16 points from 16 games. Their last game on Saturday 11 December 2021 saw them lose 3-0 to Arsenal.

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Southampton have not had a win in their past five games but their manager, Ralph Hassenhuttl, has made it clear that he is not worried about relegation and is sure that Saints will remain in the first flight.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Hassenhuttl said “Against Brighton and Leicester, we played good games, but we didn’t take the points we perhaps should have taken. Also against Norwich, the performance was better.”

If Southampton win against Crystal Palace on Wednesday 15 December at Selhurst Park they could move level with their 12th-placed opponents.

However, if they were to lose, Saints could very easily fall behind Watford while the three in the relegation zone would only be within three points.

Who is most at risk?

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Burnley, Newcastle and Norwich City are all currently sitting in the bottom three positions of the Premier League with Watford only two points ahead.

Newcastle, who have recently become the wealthiest club in the world, are the most likely to get out of their current rut if they are able to see success in the January transfer window with Watford likely to take their place.

Equally, if Southampton keep up their current rut, it may not be long before they are in the red zone and Burnley are able to bring themselves out of the danger area.

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