Jermain Defoe has backed Manchester City as the team to beat in the Premier League title race this season.
City lead the way heading into their final game before Christmas against Newcastle, but hold just a slender advantage with Liverpool and Chelsea close behind.
The Reds sit just a point behind Pep Guardiola’s side, while Chelsea sit four points off them after dropping five points in their last three games.
The title race is expected to be fought between those three sides though, and despite the tight nature, City remain the favourites to retain their crown, with Defoe among those backing them.
“It’s really interesting this year (the title race), it’s been great watching,” Defoe told Sky Sports.
“For me, City are still the team to beat with the squad that they have and just the know-how.
“They’ve been in this position before, the amount of goals they score and the players they’ve got.
“Liverpool are fine also, Chelsea have been good. At the beginning of the season people asked me who would win the league and I was like Chelsea look strong, bringing Lukaku in, that focal point, goalscorer.
“They had that little dip but it’s important that they get Lukaku back firing, but for me City are definitely the team to beat.”
With fixtures falling victim to Covid throughout the Premier League, Jamie Redknapp believes City hold an advantage over their title rivals.
"We’ve been through this period of Covid for so long now, you only need one or two players out and it can make that difference," Redknapp said.
"Liverpool managed to get a good result and they lost Virgil Van Dijk and there was a bit of fear that maybe they might need him in that game.
"Today if he’s not here what does that do? If you’re a Spurs team and that teamsheet comes through and there’s no Virgil you think you have a much better chance than with him.
"There’s all these different subplots that can happen this season probably more than any other season that we’ve had but you do feel that Liverpool and City are setting such high standards.
"I watched City in midweek and the football they’re playing with Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bryune back in form, they do look formidable."
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