Sky Sports pundit analyses Premier League title race, rules out four giants with one surprise

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Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville believes that the Premier League title race has became a two-horse race already with the two Manchester clubs.

It’s hard to disagree with him after a glance at the standings, with Man City leading the way at the top with an eight-point lead over Man Utd, with Antonio Conte’s Chelsea 11 points adrift of Pep Guardiola’s men.

In turn, it’s unlikely that many will disagree with Neville’s assessment, as he believes that for United, they have to take something from the Manchester derby next month to put the pressure on their city rivals and ensure that they earn the title.

“It definitely does [remain a Manchester duel for the title]. At this moment in time, it is United who are closest to Man City but I don’t think Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal or Chelsea are right this season,” he said on the Gary Neville Podcast, as noted by Sky Sports.

“You have to retain hope if you’re Man Utd and think that something could happen in a couple of weeks’ time in that Manchester derby that could start a run of results that will put doubt in Man City’s mind.”

While that’s a crucial point, it arguably still seems a little early to dismiss Chelsea. The reigning champions showed last year that they’re capable of putting together a lengthy winning streak, and although Antonio Conte has had his troubles this season plus has Champions League football to consider, should it be entirely ruled out as a possibility that they could mount a similar fightback?

Given the inconsistency that they’ve shown so far this season and in previous years, it’s easy to see where Neville is coming from with Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool in terms of ruling them out of the equation.

However, City and Guardiola will surely suffer a dip in form at some stage this season with injuries and suspensions also potentially coming into play to perhaps knock them off their stride.

Of course, the same risk applies to their rivals as we’ve already seen with Paul Pogba’s costly absence for United over two months, but it remains to be seen whether or not Chelsea can at least apply some pressure in the weeks ahead to ensure that it isn’t an all-Manchester Premier League title race.

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