Manchester City maintained their impressive start to the season with an important victory over Leicester City on Saturday afternoon, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring the winning goal for Pep Guardiola's side.
The Blues, who were without Erling Haaland at the weekend, briefly moved to the top of the Premier League table, but were leapfrogged by Arsenal following their emphatic win over Nottingham Forest.
Guardiola's side will have to deal with a busy schedule before the season pauses for the World Cup in Qatar, which continues on Tuesday night when they host Sevilla in the Champions League. City have already qualified for the knockout stages in Europe, but will be keen to finish on a high.
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City will compete in three different competitions before the break in the season, with Guardiola's men in Premier League, Champions League and EFL Cup action. Putting the two cup competitions to one side - MEN Sport has taken a close look at the Blues' next six league fixtures, two of which come before the end of November, and compared them with those of their fellow expected title and top-four challengers.
Manchester City - 2nd (29pts)
- Fulham (H) - November 5
- Brentford (H) - November 12
- Leeds United (A) - December 28
- Everton (H) - December 31
- Chelsea (A) - January 5
- Manchester United (A) - January 14
Verdict: Guardiola will be pleased to return to the Etihad for the next two top-flight matches, and City will be confident of securing victories over Fulham and Brentford. The reigning champions return to Premier League action after the break against Leeds at Elland Road, which promises to be a spicy encounter.
City face two difficult matches in January - both of which come away to Chelsea and Manchester United respectively. With Arsenal performing well at the top of the table, the Blues need to ensure they are in a strong position after the World Cup.
Arsenal - 1st (31pts)
- Chelsea (A) - November 6
- Wolves (A) - November 12
West Ham United (H) - December 26
Brighton & Hove Albion (A) - December 31
Newcastle United (H) - January 3
Tottenham Hotspur (A) - January 14
Tottenham Hotspur - 3rd (26pts)
- Liverpool (H) - November 6
- Leeds United (H) - November 12
- Brentford (A) - December 26
- Aston Villa (H) - January 1
- Crystal Palace (A) - January 4
- Arsenal (H) - January 14
Manchester United - 5th (23pts)
- Aston Villa (A) - November 6
- Fulham (A) - November 13
- Nottingham Forest (H) - December 26
- Wolves (A) - December 31
- Bournemouth (H) - January 3
- Manchester City (H) - January 14
Chelsea - 6th (21pts)
- Arsenal (H) - November 6
- Newcastle United (A) - November 12
- Bournemouth (H) - December 27
- Nottingham Forest (A) - January 1
- Manchester City (H) - January 5
- Crystal Palace (H) - January 14
Liverpool - 9th (16pts)
- Tottenham Hotspur (A) - November 6
- Southampton (H) - November 12
- Aston Villa (A) - December 26
- Leicester City (H) - December 30
- Brentford (A) - January 2
Brighton & Hove Albion (A) - January 14
*All fixtures are subject to change.
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