Generally, when ex-players are asked for their opinions on football, they tend to take sides with their former clubs. However, this was not the case when John Barnes was asked who he think will win the Premier League – he believes that Manchester City will handle the ‘pressure’ and pip Liverpool to the post.

While Barnes feels that Liverpool are City’s ‘closest challengers’, expecting Arsenal to fall by the wayside, he still thinks that the Reds are legitimate contenders. He noted their ability to win games when they are not at their best – something they have done on several occasions this season.

City’s title challenge suffered a major blow on Saturday, as they could only muster a draw against a hit-and-miss Chelsea outfit. Liverpool, despite picking up a couple of injuries, won all three points in a 3-1 victory over Brentford.

Why does John Barnes think that Manchester City will win the Premier League

Speaking to Premier League Predictions [via Football365], Barnes said: “City are the favourites, I make Liverpool the second favourites. Arsenal were in a better position last year, but I’ve said since the Premier League started – March, April is when you really start to look at who the runners and riders are, because you have teams like Aston Villa and Tottenham who [looked like contenders] six weeks ago.

“When you’re coming into the end of February/March, it’s all about ‘can you just get a result’, and Man City are all conquering, all dominant in that respect. Liverpool for me are the closest challengers because there are certain games where Liverpool haven’t played well but have got a result.

“Liverpool winning today is going to put the pressure on. Man City will handle that pressure. City won’t get nervous that Liverpool are getting away from them because they are such an incredible team. Liverpool playing first will affect Arsenal but not Man City.”