Manchester City topped the Premier League charts at Christmas and it looks like Pep Guardiola’s side will take some shifting from the No.1 spot. The best-oiled of sporting machines is moving ominously through the gears once more.

The Blues have been in such a position twice before and went on to claim the ultimate prize on each occasion. The first of those instances saw Sergio Aguero complete a title-winning job in dramatic fashion on the final day, while the most recent in 2017-18 saw a record-setting haul of 100 points acquired.

City have reached the summit numerous times since then, and are defending champions, but will be aware that a star-studded chasing pack remain hot on their heels in the present.

For those looking to bet on football at Space Casino, Guardiola’s troops are now 8/25 to successfully defend a domestic crown and cement their standing as kings of the English top flight. Old adversaries Liverpool remain their closest challengers, but they have drifted to 17/5.

2011/12 🏆
2017/18 🏆

Man City won the #PL on each of the two previous occasions they were top at Christmas pic.twitter.com/U81TyIzksk

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 19, 2021

Nothing it would seem can stop the relentless march of a Manchester juggernaut. Challenges continue to spring up on and off the field, but all hurdles placed in City’s path are being cleared with consummate ease.

They are free scoring and boast the kind of depth in their squad that few rivals around the world can claim to match. Having enough pieces to complete one puzzle is normally the order of the day, but the Blues could take on several at once and still finish before everybody else.

Can City be stopped?

We are not quite at straw-clutching time for City’s rivals, but that day may not be too far off. If a side well versed in the art of trophy collecting were to start edging their way clear of the rest, then another race could have been run by the time spring has sprung.

Guardiola is not the kind of coach to accept any letting up from those at his disposal. The highest of standards are set under his tutelage, with the aim being to crush the hopes and dreams of opponents in relentless fashion.

No letting up! 💪#ManCity pic.twitter.com/AnAWyOnswk

— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 20, 2021

A January transfer window will present another opportunity in which to add even more star quality to a squad already loaded with precocious talent, although recent history suggests that the Blues feel more at home splashing Sheikh Mansour’s cash in summer markets.

That may offer a glimmer of hope to those clinging to ambitions of knocking the Blues from the loftiest of perches. If others can invest wisely, establish momentum and claim the odd notable scalp along the way, then Premier League silverware may still be within reach.

City, though, will delight in leaving said carrot dangling before callously snatching it away. They have made a habit of doing that down the years, with hopefuls elsewhere left empty handed

Will that be the case again in 2022? There are a galaxy of stars waiting in the wings to take advantage of any slip-up from those at the Etihad Stadium, but can any of them eclipse a Blue Moon and prevent it from rising once more?