LONDON: New Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is talking up three more English Premier League champion rivals ahead of his first match against Portsmouth on Sunday.

While most pundits expect Scolari's side to contest the title race with perennial contenders Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal, the former Portugal coach insists at least three other teams could surprise.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp may be surprised to hear his FA Cup winners mentioned in the same bracket as the big four but Scolari is convinced Portsmouth, Tottenham and Manchester City could mount surprise bids for the English crown.

"I saw many games in pre-season and if you say only one or two teams can win it, I think you are wrong," Scolari said.

"All the games here are important and difficult games, unlike other leagues where you have two or three teams only and you win 15 out of 20 games."