Manchester City defender Gael Clichy insists the English Premier League champions are still confident they can retain the title.

Roberto Mancini’s side trail leaders Manchester United by a massive 12 points ahead of their trip to face Everton at Goodison Park and most pundits have written off City’s hopes of a successful title defence.

But French left-back Clichy is hoping City can replicate last season’s dramatic finale when they came from eight points behind to overhaul United and win the title on the last day of the season.

“If you look at the scenario, it is actually not that much different from last season – eight points behind with six games to go last year, 12 behind with 10 to play this time around,” Clichy said.

“If United don’t make mistakes, they will win the title, but everyone is saying United have to lose four games.

“That’s not true, if they draw a few matches we can make up points in that way. It’s easier to be 12 points ahead because if you draw one and then lose one you still have a good lead.”

City face Newcastle following Everton before a crucial trip to Old Trafford for the Manchester derby and then take on Wigan in a rescheduled fixture.

Clichy believes that run of fixtures will decide their title fate.

“The next three or four games are crucial for us and if we do well during this period, we will see,” he said.

Sergio Aguero is ruled out for City for the Everton match after travelling to Argentina for further treatment on a knee injury which has kept him out since early March, while Mancini is also waiting to discover if captain Vincent Kompany, who has been out since January with a calf injury, will finally be fit.