Manchester City's next five Premier League fixtures compared to Liverpool, Arsenal and rivals

Pep Guardiola has already warned Manchester City's rivals that it would be a mistake to write them off in the Premier League title race.

The reigning champions are just five points adrift of table-toppers Liverpool – and they're still yet to welcome back Erling Haaland, who missed much of November and early December due to injury. City also have a game in hand, which could prove decisive by the end of the campaign.

At the end of last month, when Guardiola's side sat fourth and five points off league leaders Arsenal, the Spaniard relished the chance to prove his doubters wrong. "This is the business," the City boss said. "When you don't win you are nothing, zero. As much as you win they want you to fail more than ever. But what we have won, the titles, is unbelievable.

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"In the moment you don't win there are going to be doubts but that is what is nice. That is okay. Doubt again. We'll see what happens. We played quite similar to the best levels we have played these past eight years. But we don't win so it's a crisis, a disaster."

Here the Manchester Evening News has taken a look at City's upcoming Premier League fixtures along with those of their title rivals.

With Haaland edging closer to a return and Kevin De Bruyne back among the goals, Guardiola's side are primed for a title push with a fourth successive honour on the line.

Chelsea (H) - January 31

Arsenal (A) - February 4

Burnley (H) - February 10

Brentford (A) - February 17

Luton Town (H) - February 24

Jurgen Klopp's side have some difficult games around the corner but, if the