Alan Shearer rates Manchester City as ‘favourites’ to win the Premier League ahead of title rivals Arsenal and Liverpool.
With ten games remaining, Arsenal – without a league title since 2004 – sit top of the table on goal difference.
Liverpool, bidding to win the title in Jurgen Klopp’s last season at the club, are level on points with the Gunners and one above Manchester City.
Man City are not only attempting to win a record fourth successive Premier League title but back-to-back trebles after their historic effort across 2022-23.
Sunday’s clash at the Etihad Stadium could represent a huge moment in the title race as current leaders Arsenal visit the defending champions.
But even if Arsenal hold or even beat Pep Guardiola’s side, Shearer says Manchester City’s experience in title races gives them the edge over their two nearest rivals.
The ex-England striker also reckons Arsenal are faced with the toughest fixtures during the run-in and says there is no guarantee Klopp’s emotional departure from Anfield will inspire Liverpool to the title and could in fact ‘smother’ the team.
‘This is why my instinct is to make Manchester City favourites to win it now, even though they’re third in the table, a point behind the other two,’ Shearer wrote in a column for The Athletic.
‘They’re more familiar with this position. No side has ever won four consecutive Premier League titles but the track record they have is precious.
‘If you’ve done it before, you understand defeat isn’t a disaster; you trust yourself and each other and draw upon your knowledge. If you’re new to it or less versed in it, hesitation can fester.
‘It won’t be perfection for City, Liverpool and Arsenal over the next two months because life is rarely like that. It’s about learning to live with those hiccups – it’s not the end of the world, so you move on.
‘Each of them have their own motivations and contexts. Arsenal haven’t claimed a league title for 20 years, but vied for it last season; does that help or hinder them now? Arguably, they have the toughest fixtures.
‘Liverpool have won it once under Jurgen Klopp, in a season extended and affected by Covid-19, and are desperate to add another before the manager leaves. Does that propel them or smother them?
‘In my view, City will be the most relaxed, but that can change.’
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