3 reasons why Manchester City will not win the 2016/17 Premier League title

European distraction

Guardiola’s high-intensity style of football is all well and good when you’re only playing once a week, but City have got the Champions League to contend with as the season progresses.

Although it’s not too bad now given they are out of the League Cup, should they qualify from their group, they could face Champions League, FA Cup replays and a few Premier League matches in midweek from February.

And, with the way City are playing at the moment, they are covering considerably more ground than in previous seasons, will they be able to keep it up come February/March time? It’s a tough ask.

Several of these players will need time to adapt to both the style of play itself, but also the fitness that it demands of them.

Not just that, but can Guardiola really afford to rest the likes of Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundagon, whose absences so far this season have already proved how integral they are to this side?

Competing on three fronts come the New Year is going to seriously test this City squad, and it could be a test they are unable to overcome.