It has been a Christmas of contrasts for Manchester City and Liverpool.
While Jurgen Klopp's men have stormed on relentlessly it has been a different story for Pep Guardiola, seeing his side lose three times in December.
Today City had to beat Southampton to stay in the race and on Thursday the teams meet at the Etihad Stadium in what is already being talked about as the game of the season.
They managed to see off the Saints without too many problems but it will be a different story against Liverpool who looked so good in beating Arsenal 5-1 at Anfield on Saturday.
Guardiola said after the game it was effectively win or bust for his team's chances, arguing that if they dropped any more points, it'd be over.
"In the position of Liverpool, we drop points, it’s over - it’s finished," stated Guardiola. "It would be almost impossible. Of course I think they’re going to drop points, but not too many. If we want to be there as far as possible until the end, we have to win games.
"The problem is the other team is fantastic. Maybe the best team in Europe or the world right now and in top form. You have to accept it.
“When Liverpool is seven points in front it’s because they don’t lose a game, they don’t concede, they start in incredible form, top players, all together four or five years with Jurgen (Klopp)."
City welcomed Fernandinho back against Southampton and he survived unscathed but there is a doubt over playmaker Kevin de Bruyne.
🔴 1-3 🔵 #SOUMCI
