Chelsea travel to Manchester City on Saturday knowing victory is essential if they are to keep pace with the relentless Premier League leaders this season.

City’s 11th consecutive league win — a last-gasp 2-1 success at Arsenal on New Year’s Day — took the champions 10 points clear of second-placed Chelsea as Pep Guardiola’s side look on course to retain the title with another sky-high points total.

The run is the fifth time City have managed 11 or more consecutive victories in the competition, though all is not lost for Chelsea ahead of their trip to the Etihad Stadium as three of the previous four such runs ended in a home match.

Thomas Tuchel’s European champions have struggled to match their early season form of late, having picked up one win and four draws from their last five league games.

Seventh-placed Manchester United travel to Aston Villa on Saturday as they look to turn their faltering season around. Results have improved under interim coach Ralf Rangnick, but performances remain inconsistent.