Manchester City lead Liverpool by two points in the Premier League, with both sides still unbeaten. Here Press Association Sport looks at what appears to be becoming a two-team title race.
Advent advantage
Manchester City have drawn just two of their 15 games, winning the other 13; Liverpool have 12 wins and three draws. City’s goal difference of +38 is the best in the English top-flight for the opening 15 games in 126 years. Tottenham are the next best, six points worse off than Liverpool. Chelsea have lost two of their last three Premier League games to sit 10 points adrift of City. Arsenal trail the Blues on goal difference, while Everton, Bournemouth and Manchester United all have eight fewer points than the Gunners, with 23 points.
Stars on top
City have been in this position before, in winning the title last season. After 15 games last season, City led by eight points from Manchester United. That had extended to a 14-point lead by New Year’s Day, courtesy of an 18-match winning run. Liverpool were fourth, 18 points adrift. The Reds will be hoping to keep their unbeaten run going this season and see how City cope with the pressure of a rival ready to pounce on any slip-up.
Festive fixtures
Liverpool will hope to keep the pressure on City prior to their January 3 clash at the Etihad Stadium. Chelsea host City on Saturday seeking to end the holders’ undefeated start and respond from their first competitive losses of the season – City also beat Chelsea in the Community Shield. City, whose last Premier League defeat came in April’s Manchester derby, thereafter face Everton (H), Crystal Palace (H), Leicester (A) and Southampton (A). Liverpool play at Bournemouth on Saturday, followed by games with Manchester United (H), Wolves (A), Newcastle (H) and Arsenal (H) before the end of 2018.
Key players returning
Sergio Aguero has missed the last two games and will be expected to return for City against Chelsea, while Kevin De Bruyne is nearing a return from a knee injury. The star duo will supplement City’s already impressive squad, which means Pep Guardiola can make seamless switches to his starting XI. Jurgen Klopp’s first-choice line-up is more obvious, but he still has the quality to make changes and earn victories.
Winter window
Both Guardiola and Klopp are predicting a quiet January as far as the winter transfer window goes. Both bosses say they have what they need, but should an opportunity to strengthen present itself, or a major injury occur, expect them to move swiftly. Continuity is key for City and Liverpool.