Liverpool and Arsenal ruled out of the Premier League title race by Roberto Mancini

Manchester City and Chelsea will contest who replaces Manchester United as champions, says the Italian

Roberto Mancini makes a gesture from the touchline at Stamford Bridge (GETTY IMAGES)

Roberto Mancini has said his former team Manchester City are the strongest contenders to win the Premier League title.

The Galatasaray manager, whose side were knocked out of the Champions League by Chelsea last night, also rates the Blues' chances of success.

"I think that Manchester City's the best team," Mancini told reporters at Stamford Bridge last night. "They have the best players."

Mancini, who won the title during his time at the Etihad to become one of a select few managers to win the Premier League crown, discounted the chances of Arsenal and Liverpool.

"I don't know if Liverpool, also doing very well in this moment, can win," said the Italian.

There are four games remaining featuring match-ups between the top four sides, starting this weekend when Chelsea host Arsenal. The match is already being billed as crucial to both teams' aspirations of replacing Manchester United as champion.

However, Mancini believes Chelsea should be favoured: "I think it will be a fight till the end between City and Chelsea."