Last Updated: Sun, 03 Feb 2013 09:10
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will not give up on the Premier League title just yet, despite a ten point gap at the top.
Title rivals Manchester United opened up a ten point gap at the top of the Premier League table with a 1-0 win at Fulham on Saturday.
City can reduce the deficit to seven points on Sunday if they take all three points when they host Liverpool, and Mancini believes his side can still successfully defend their league crown.
The Italian admits he hopes United manage to get past Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League as he feels that this could result in a loss of domestic focus for the Old Trafford outfit.
City are no longer involved in European competition and will have no such distractions later in the campaign, and having faced Real earlier in the tournament, Mancini is optimistic United's double-header with the Spanish giants could derail their title charge.
"Of course I will be supporting United when they take on Real Madrid," Mancini said. "I might even go along to watch with a little red and white flag.
"When we played Real Madrid it took a lot out of us and I think United are going to find it difficult as well, because along with Barcelona [Real] are the best in the world right now.
"I do think [United] will find it a little bit harder in February and March and that is when the title might be decided."
He added: "When you have 14 games left you still have a chance, because it is a long season and anything can still happen."
Have you an opinion on this story? Put your money where your mouth is and claim a free £25 bet.
