If the pressure wasn't already on Manchester City in the Premier League title race, it really intensified following the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at the weekend.
That result sends Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the table, and nine ahead of City. If Pep Guardiola wants to retain the Premier League for the third season running, he could really do with a winning run going into the Christmas period.
City are fully capable of registering a number of consecutive wins, and many would bet against them when the momentum is with Guardiola's champions. But Liverpool are looking unstoppable themselves, with just one defeat since the start of last season.
Liverpool's win over City has arguably attracted more pressure onto themselves - not that they will complain at putting further distance between City - as they will now be viewed as the team to beat. They didn't seem to like that tag when seven points clear last season.
And while the winter fixture congestion will be difficult for City, Liverpool's participation in the Club World Cup in Qatar just before Christmas puts extra strain on their squad.
As a result, City have one more fixture to play before Christmas Day, giving them the opportunity to temporarily close the gap to their rivals. In the way of Guardiola's side, however, are Chelsea, Newcastle, Burnley, Man United, Arsenal and Leicester - hardly the easiest of fixtures.
Use the widget below to predict City and Liverpool's runs until Christmas to predict who will be top of the table on December 25.
