Manchester City will be looking to capitalise on at least one of the teams above them dropping points when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Friday.
The top two will face off on Boxing Day when Leicester City host leaders Liverpool, meaning that Man City are guaranteed to have the chance to either overhaul the Foxes, close the gap on the Reds or both.
However, they must also hold up their end of the bargain, which is no foregone conclusion against a Wolves side that has already beaten them at the Etihad Stadium this season.
Here, Sports Mole looks at how Pep Guardiola could line his side up for the contest.
Out: David Silva (leg), John Stones (hamstring), Leroy Sane (knee), Aymeric Laporte (knee)
Doubtful: Kevin De Bruyne (muscle), Ilkay Gundogan (muscle)
> Click here for Man City's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match
Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan both limped off in the closing stages of Saturday's win over Leicester, although neither injury is thought to be serious and both players could start again in this match.
De Bruyne eased concerns over his fitness by insisting that it was only cramp, whereas Gundogan was suffering from muscle tightness and will be assessed before kickoff.
Should the German fail that fitness test then it could open the door for Phil Foden to return to the starting XI, particularly with David Silva once again ruled out.
Silva and John Stones have both been absent since the Manchester derby and, while Friday's match is expected to come too soon for them, certainly in the starting lineup, they could be in contention to play some part against Sheffield United on Sunday.
Record goalscorer Sergio Aguero is back available having missed more than a month through injury, making his comeback as a late sub against Leicester last time out.
Further changes are always a possibility during peak rotation season when games come thick and fast, although Guardiola may view the home game against Sheffield United as a more suitable occasion to leave some of his biggest names out.
