Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes that the Premier League title will be "difficult to lose" if they are leading the table after Christmas.
The English clubs are gearing up for a busy winter period, with the North West side scheduled to take on Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.
On top of that, the FA Cup holders will be without midfield maestro Yaya Toure and his brother Kolo as they join up with the Ivory Coast to compete in the African Nations Cup.
"We have done well but the season is long," said Mancini. "Now we have two difficult games against Chelsea and Arsenal. I have said before the next two months will be important months.
"Yaya is an important player for us - we don't have any other players like Yaya. We will probably lose an important man for one month at a crucial moment. For this reason I think if we do well in January, and we are top after January, it will be difficult to lose."
The blue half of Manchester go up against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.
Danielle Joynson
