Everton's Phil Neville has backed Manchester United to claim the Premier League crown before their derby clash with Manchester City on April 30.

The defender believes that his former club has the upper hand in the title race because they have an easier run of games coming up.

"About a month ago, everyone looked at the game at the Etihad and thought that's the game where the title will be won, and I think even [City boss] Roberto Mancini said it," he told BBC Radio.

"I looked at the fixture list and thought the title could be over, because you start dropping points in between."

United's next matches are against Queens Park Rangers, Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa, while City face a key game away to Arsenal this weekend, followed by West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City.

City claimed a 6-1 victory at Old Trafford in the first City derby of the season, but currently lie five points behind United.