'Everybody fears them' - Man City told Premier League title chances amid Arsenal and Liverpool FC challenge

Manchester City have been told they remain favourites to win the Premier League this season despite sitting five points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola's side have undergone a prolonged blip in the Premier League since the start of November. In seven matches, City have only won twice albeit they have faced Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa in this period.

These results have seen City slip off the boil and could slip out of the top four entirely before they return to action on December 27. While the Blues made history in the Club World Cup, the top two will be meeting at Anfield in a battle which could have big consequences on the title race.

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No matter the outcome, Mark Lawrenson believes City remain the favourites to retain their title. He explained to Paddy Power: "Arsenal are not the title favourites for me. I’d still go for Manchester City.

"If you ask Jurgen Klopp or Mikel Arteta, they will probably say the same privately. Everybody fears them – they’ve not had a good run, but they’ll come back.

"John Stones is around the team, and Kevin De Bruyne is training. Everybody in the league knows they can win ten games on the bounce.

"Their games against the Liverpools and Arsenals of this world are going to be mega. They’ve had a blip, but in many ways, no one has won the league four seasons in a row – it's a little bit psychological.

"Some seasons you get loads of little injuries and players miss odd games, decisions go against you and the balance of the team isn’t right. It just feels like that with City, but if anyone will win the Premier League four years in a