John Barnes believes the Premier League title race is between Liverpool and Manchester City but thinks three other teams could potentially get their hands on the trophy.
Defending champions Liverpool will travel to the Etihand on Sunday to face City as they look to return to the top of the Premier League table.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds slipped to second place on Friday night as Southampton’s 2-0 win over Newcastle propelled them to the top of the pile.
But Barnes doesn’t see Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side as serious contenders.
Nor does he see Jose Mourinho’s revitalised Tottenham Hotspur, who could end the weekend at the top of the table, as a team who could win the league.
Rather, he thinks only Chelsea, Arsenal and Leicester could possibly squeeze past Liverpool and City.
‘If Manchester City are not the obvious challenger to Liverpool then there isn’t one,’ Barnes told BonusCodeBets.co.uk.
‘They are the nearest challenger and have a game in hand where they can go close with a win.
‘[Gabriel] Jesus is back, which is huge for them because without Jesus or [Sergio] Aguero City play fantastic football but without that killer instinct, which will now be back with Jesus, if one of them stays fit, City will be Liverpool’s nearest challengers.
‘Chelsea, Arsenal and Leicester could be challenging too, but Liverpool’s nearest challengers are Manchester City.’
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