Chelsea Can Win League- Benitez

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez is backing his former club Chelsea to be part of a three-way battle for this season's Premier League crown.

The Spaniard, who spent six months in interim charge at Stamford Bridge, delivering Europa League success and a third-placed finish, is confident the Blues will be title contenders once again under new head coach Maurizio Sarri.

Benitez's Newcastle will welcome Chelsea to St James' Park on Sunday, and when asked if they can win the league this year, he said: "I think so.

"Maybe at the moment, there are three teams that you could say that they are a little bit ahead of the others, for me - Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City - because of the level, the performances last year and the money they spent.

"Then Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal, they have to go back to things they were doing well. They have quality in the squad and they can compete, for sure.

"But if you have to pick three, I will pick these. They have enough quality to do well."

Benitez is well aware of Sarri's qualities, having seen the Italian follow him into the Napoli hot seat and guide the club to three successive top-three finishes.