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#3 Manchester City send statement of intent
The Cityzens are odds-on favourites to retain the league title they won so emphatically last season - that much had been established even before a ball was kicked in anger this season, but the improved competition this term particularly from a much revamped Liverpool means that Guardiola's men must always be on their tows to avoid any slip-ups.
The Christmas period in England is always hectic, with tough fixtures coming in thick and fast, sometimes in a matter of hours, and it is with this in mind that most managers decide to rest their players in preparation for the assault on the festive period.
Against Watford at the Vicarage, Guardiola opted to give a rest to some of his super regulars including Sterling and Laporte, with Sergio Aguero missing out through injury.
Even in the absence of the trio, City were still largely comfortable against one of the banana teams of the league, and even though there was a late rally from the hosts, it never really looked like City would lose their stranglehold on the match as Sane and Mahrez ran the show.
Man City were in cruise control for most of the match against Watford, despite missing some key players and this does not bode well for the rest of the league, especially considering the fact that they are still without Kevin de Bruyne.
