Micah Richards believes Manchester City will be crowned Premier League champions if they beat Newcastle United on Sunday.
City currently hold a one point lead over Liverpool in the Premier League table. Both sides have four games remaining.
Liverpool have the chance to move top of the table when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Anfield tonight. Pep Guardiola’s side then welcome Newcastle to the Etihad on Sunday afternoon.
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Both sides head into their respective games on the back of mixed fortunes in Europe during the week. Liverpool booked their place in the final of the Champions League after coming from behind to beat Villarreal, while City were knocked out of the same competition by Real Madrid after falling apart in the closing stages.
But Richards believes the title race could be decided as early as this weekend despite City's capitulation at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"Until that ruthlessness returns in front of goal, something so clearly missing against Real, they run the risk of experiencing further nights like Wednesday,” the former City defender wrote in the Daily Mail.
“What will it mean for the Premier League? We will know on Sunday. The stadium will have to be alive because the players will need lifting.
“Producing a performance against Newcastle after defeat is significantly different to winning at Leeds following their first-leg exploits.
"I believe three points will see them go on to become champions and that, more than anything, would be an appropriate way to celebrate what we did in 2012. Four titles in five years would be an outstanding achievement."
