A 3-1 derby victory over west London rivals Fulham on Saturday, coupled with Arsenal's shock 1-0 defeat at Stoke City, saw Chelsea open up a four-point lead at the summit, with Liverpool now in second place.
City, who were in Capital One Cup final action on Sunday, have slipped to fourth in the standings, six points off the pace.
Manuel Pellegrini's side do, however, have two games in hand on all of their fellow challengers for the top flight crown.
Mourinho believes that makes them favourites to come out on top, with it unlikely that his side will be able to take maximum points from their 10 remaining fixtures and turn the heat up on the men from the Etihad Stadium.
The Portuguese coach said: "I prefer to have the destiny in my hands, and only City have destiny in their hands.
"If I win every game until the end of the season, all 10 - which we won't - maybe we are not champions.
"If they win all 12 games they have, they are champions. They have their destiny in their hands."
Mourinho has also been explaining his decision to use Fernando Torres and Demba Ba ahead of Samuel Eto'o against Fulham.
Eto'o did not even make Chelsea's matchday squad at Craven Cottage, but Mourinho claims that is because the experienced Cameroonian is a frontman better suited to leading the line on home soil.
He added: "There's nothing wrong with Samuel. I just felt in this kind of match - away from home, against normally defensive teams, aggressive defenders - I thought to go with Fernando and, if I need to risk in the last part of the game, I'd use Demba.
"You see, Eto'o scores goals but at home. He scores in the league, in the Champions League but all of them at home.
"Playing away is more difficult for him. I think he is our best striker to play at home because of his technique, his movement and his understanding with Eden (Hazard) and Oscar.
"For me, he is best to play at home. Away he is showing some difficulties.
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