Danny Murphy is backing his former club, Liverpool, to finally get their hands on the Premier League title this season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side pushed Manchester City all the way last season, but still finished second despite amassing 96 points.
Pep Guardiola’s team also won the Premier League in 2018, meaning they will bid to secure a hat-trick of titles when the new season starts next week.
Chelsea finished third last term but have since replaced Maurizio Sarri with club legend Frank Lampard, while Tottenham claimed the final Champions League place.
Arsenal and Manchester United both finished outside of the top four last season.
Murphy told the Daily Mail: “Manchester City and Liverpool were 25 points clear of the field last season.
“I’m sure they won’t quite repeat their unbelievable results but it will still be a two-horse race for the title. The gap is too big for their rivals to make up in one go.
“A fully-fit Kevin de Bruyne will give City a boost, he is one of the best midfield players in the world, but I’m still backing Liverpool to turn around the one-point deficit from last May.
“Partly it’s because City could subconsciously prioritise the Champions League, having won the Premier League twice in a row.
“The main reason, however, is the departure of Vincent Kompany, their leader for so long.
“Kompany can be replaced on the pitch but in the dressing room and training ground it will be impossible to find someone with his experience, credibility and gravitas.”
Explaining why he believes United will break into the top four, Murphy said: “I’ve got a feeling they will improve through financial power – particularly now they have signed Harry Maguire – and will join Tottenham in the top four.
“That will mean heartbreak for Chelsea. They have made the right appointments in Frank Lampard and Jody Morris, but will have to be patient.
“They have lost Eden Hazard, are under a transfer ban and are without the injured Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.”
Murphy also believes Arsenal are most at risk of dropping out of the top six, adding: “Arsenal look most vulnerable.
“It would be good to see someone else break through but I think the Gunners have too much firepower in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and new boy Nicolas Pepe to lose their status.”
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