Gary Lineker chooses who will win Premier League title as BBC presenter refuses to U-turn

Gary Lineker remains convinced Manchester City are favorites for the Premier League title despite a weekend of shocks shaking up the title race. City suffered a setback on their trip, falling to a lively Bournemouth side at the Vitality Stadium.

Josko Gvardiol's late header served as little consolation in a 2-1 defeat, the first in the league since December. Arsenal also stumbled earlier on Saturday.

They succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at St James' Park in the 12:30 kick-off, with Alexander Isak's first-half header giving Newcastle victory. Liverpool, for its part, took advantage of these slip-ups.

Arne Slot's Reds recovered from a goal down to claim a 2-1 victory over Brighton at Anfield, propelling them to the top of the league. It's a position few expected them to find themselves in following Jurgen Klopp's departure.

Nonetheless, Lineker, alongside fellow Match of the Day colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, maintained that the current champions are the team to beat. On The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer argued: “I would still say the favorites are Man City, but it’s close.

“Liverpool have been much better than I thought. I didn't think they would be a challenge but they are, there's no doubt about that.

“I don't think they are going to disappear. I was disappointed with Arsenal and I warned them before the season started. It still seems like Man City are only favorites because they have been around the neighborhood.”

Last season, Lineker backed Arsenal to end their title drought, but after their failure to topple City for the second season in a row, he opted for Pep Guardiola's side. Remaining confident in his choice, Lineker said: “I think I agree.

“City have been there, done it four times on the bounce now. You wonder if it will catch up with them at some point because it's so difficult to keep having that absolute motivation that gets them over the finish line .

“I would say they are still favourites. I supported them at the start of the season and I wouldn't change my mind now.

“Liverpool are real title contenders and I think that came as a surprise. Following Jurgen Klopp's huge place was always going to be difficult, but Slot seems like a perfect choice.”

Former City star Richards echoed those sentiments, with his former team just two points behind Liverpool while Arsenal are now eight points behind. “I would always choose Man City just because of what happened in the past. I would always say they are favourites,” he added.