Enzo Maresca believes a fourth team will challenge Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea for the Premier League title. Liverpool sit four points clear at the top of the table going into Christmas, the Reds losing just one of their 16 league games under new boss Arne Slot.
![[Aston Villa FC v Manchester City FC - Premier League]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2190937618.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Chelsea are currently second having mounted a surprise title challenge under another newcomer to the Premier League, ex-Leicester City manager Maresca. Arsenal, who have come desperately close to winning the title under Mikel Arteta, are third, with Nottingham Forest occupying the final Champions League spot following a sensational first-half of the season.
Another team surpassing expectations, Bournemouth, are fifth ahead of Aston Villa – who finished in the top-four last season – and defending champions Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side were attempting to win a record-extending fifth successive league title but have won less than half of their games this season to slip to seventh, 12 points behind Liverpool.
Despite the shocking run of form at the Etihad Stadium, Maresca expects Man City to challenge for the title at the business of the season and puts their current malaise down to injury issues. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video.
Up Next. Guardiola lost Ballon d’Or winner Rodri to a season-ending injury earlier in the season and has been without several other key City players. ‘Manchester City at the end will be there,’ Maresca said when asked if his former club were still in the title race. ‘They are in a moment that has never happened before.
