Jose Mourinho believes Arsenal have the advantage in the Premier League title race but reckons there are still six clubs capable of winning the top-flight crown.
Arsene Wenger’s men, who are five points clear of second-placed Chelsea, face a real test of their title credentials when they travel to defending champions Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
And although the Chelsea manager paid credit to Everton and Southampton, the Portuguese coach ring-fenced Arsenal, Liverpool, both Manchester clubs and Tottenham Hotspur as their title rivals this season.
“I think six [teams are in the race]. Everton is there, Southampton is there. I don’t want to disrespect them [but] realistically we don’t think Everton or Southampton are going to fight for the title,” Mourinho said.
“Arsenal have an advantage. All the other five are there.”
Mourinho also reckons he is facing a tougher challenge to win the Premier League title than his first reign at Stamford Bridge.
“In my previous time, we built a team much better than the opposition,” he said. “We dominated in an easy way in two seasons.
“In the third season, United were fantastic and we missed a couple of matches. That was enough for United to win the title.
“At that time, we broke a period of Arsenal and we were very strong. Manchester United were stronger than us after that.”