Pablo Zabaleta has backed Manchester City to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea over the festive schedule.

A run of eight successive wins has seen City enjoy success in the league and in Europe recently, and Zabaleta is confident of putting Chelsea's title challenge under the microscope in the next week.

"That [run] shows the spirit that this team has at the moment. When you think of two months ago, when we were not playing our best football, we kept working hard and I think at the moment the confidence is back and we are playing much better football," the Argentine defender told reporters.

"I think that, at Christmas, spirit is always crucial to try and win all the games, because it can make a big difference.

"It is especially the case for the top squads and the players that can rotate, because it will be very hard to play on the 26th and the 28th within 48 hours. We are looking to win those games. Even if Chelsea are winning games and looking solid, it is normal to have some point of the season where you can lose points."

City travel to The Hawthorns to meet West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day.