The proud city of Guardiola avoids the curse of the champions

Pep Guardiola is "thrilled" by the strength of the title defense in Manchester City and has declared that a win over Chelsea on Sunday would ensure his side challenge Liverpool all the way to the Premier League trophy.

City to entertain The men of Maurizio Sarri, knowing that the victory will allow them to reach the same level of points as Liverpool at the top of the Premier League, although the Reds played one game less than the champions.

Chelsea are fifth in the table – the position they ended last season, just one year after winning the title under Antonio Conte in 2016-17.

Guardiola expressed his pride at seeing his team avoid the fate of Chelsea and others, with Manchester United the last team to have defended his title successfully in 2008-09.

"I know that in the last five or six years, what happened with the champions the following year, what position they were in," Guardiola told reporters.

"They were all absent and they had no chance during that period to win the Premier League.

"We're here, it's one of the things I enjoy most this season."

The League's winning streak in four league games ended with its 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United on Jan. 29, but Guardiola ensured that the result was not a reflection of the complacency of his players.

"When people say," You underestimated Newcastle. "No, no," he said.

"You do not underestimate anyone if you are in the final of the Carabao Cup and you participate in all competitions and fights.

"Previous seasons, Leicester [City] and Chelsea and the others – no luck. We are here.

"We want to be there until the end. [Sunday] will help us. If we are able to win the match, I'm pretty sure that until the end we'll be there to fight again to be champions. "

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Guardiola rejected suggestions that Liverpool, who did not beat Leicester and West Ham before defeating Bournemouth on Saturday, showed that Jurgen Klopp's team had lost their advantage.

"I do not know how you badociate a lack of mentality with a loss of four points, two draws," said the boss of the city. "I do not see the connection.

"Maybe they lost points because Leicester did a good job and West Ham – it's still hard to play against Manuel Pellegrini."