Three key fixtures that could define Manchester City’s season between now and the New Year

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Manchester City v Chelsea- December 3rd

City are yet to host one of the title challengers, and your home matches against direct rivals are always of utmost importance. Antonio Conte’s Chelsea travel to the Etihad in less than a month’s time for what should be an intriguing tactical battle. Conte’s switch to 3-4-3 has breathed new life into Chelsea; David Luiz looks far more comfortable at the heart of a defensive triumvirate and Eden Hazard and Diego Costa are in closer contact. Guardiola’s loves to come up with individual solutions for each game, especially against the biggest teams, so how he counteracts Chelsea’s shape will be fascinating. He has already experimented with a back three this season, though City’s version is quite different. Chelsea play with orthodox wing backs, whereas Guardiola has played wingers such as Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane in these roles which is a bold policy. City have won four of the last six meetings at Eastlands in all competitions, their only defeat coming courtesy of a Branislav Ivanovic strike in February 2014.