Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said they are in a tight race with four other teams in the Premier League title race.
The champions are currently at the top of the table, one point ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal.
Tottenham have dropped into fourth place after two consecutive defeats, while Aston Villa and Manchester United are fifth and sixth, respectively.
“Honestly, I could not expect to be in this position at the start of the season. We have five teams so tight, but we are there. It’s an important game, but there’s more to come,” Guardiola said during Friday’s pre-match press conference.
City host Liverpool in a top-of-the-table clash in Saturday’s early kick-off.
EPL: Five teams in tight race to win title – Guardiola
