Liverpool may be in the lead currently in the Premier League race with Arsenal only two points behind them, yet it would be highly imprudent for the Reds and the Gunners to take their eyes off Manchester City with nine more games of the season to go.
All-time Premier League top goalscorer Alan Shearer has rationallhy named Manchester City as the favorites again to wrest the Premier League title from the clutches of their closest rivals, despite the temporary slip-up against Arsenal on Sunday with the 1-1 draw. City played out a draw with their title rivals at the Etihad Stadium to fall three points behind leaders Liverpool. There are now just nine games to go in the season, with boss Pep Gaurdiola himself admitting – being a classy practitioner well-schooled in diplomacy and not one given to the crass practise of chest-thumping – it is the Reds who are in pole position.
Guardiola’s side will next square off against Aston Villa, the last team to beat them. Shearer is still confidently putting his money on the Cityzens to end up on top despite Guardiola’s side having turned in some unconvincing performances for much of the campaign, citing their consistent dominance of the Premier League as the raison d’etre behind his affirmation of City’s superiority. However, he stated that despite Liverpool having an advantage at this juncture, he insisted he is unable to look past the reigning champions.
“At the moment it is advantage Liverpool, and Arsenal are not going away, but, with nine games to go, I still see Manchester City as favorites for the Premier League title. That feeling is not really based on how City are playing right now, though,” Shearer told BBC Sport.
“They cannot afford to drop points in successive games, so it’s another huge night for them. One of City’s biggest strengths, however, is that they have been here and done it so many times before.
“And, while their rivals might be in better form, City have the experience to know that the draw with Arsenal was not a disaster. They were my pick to win the league when it started and I am certainly not going to change my mind now.”