Rio Ferdinand has predicted Manchester City to win the Premier League title this season, with Manchester United in second place.
Pep Guardiola’s side currently lead the league table by five points, though they still have an outstanding game to play. The former United player said he has “no doubt” City will claim their third Premier League title in four games.
Ferdinand predicted Liverpool and Leicester City to complete the league’s top four but believes the Reds would have pushed City all the way for the title, had it not been for their injuries.
“Liverpool are in a bad vein of form at the moment. Last season, if we were sitting here for this game, both of us would 100 per cent say Liverpool would win this (Leicester) game,” Ferdinand told BT Sport.
“That’s why I’ve got them in the position they are (third), they’re lacking consistency, they’re lacking confidence, lacking form, so I don’t see them mounting a challenge this season.
“We were talking about this before, full tilt, full squad – they’re challenging City to win the league, no doubt. But I don’t think anyone else would be in their position with the amount of stuff that’s destabilised their season and that’s a credit to them.
“I still see them third and if anyone else goes through what they’ve gone through, they’re finishing eighth or tenth.”
Meanwhile, Ferdinand predicted that Chelsea will finish outside the top four this season as he backed Leicester to qualify for the Champions League ahead of the club.
‘I think there’s a bit to much to do maybe,’ Ferdinand told BT Sport when quizzed about Chelsea’s chances of making top four. ‘Leicester are still a fairly consistent team and I think the other teams will just be able to stay ahead of them.
‘I think Tuchel will get it right there, I do like him as a manager. I think the players have taken to him immediately but I think there will be a little bit to do maybe to get in there. ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if they did, but that’s what I’ve gone for.
‘I think the remit is 100% Champions League football at a minimum once he’s gone in there. We’ll have to see with the way that regime is run he could get the sack.
