Pep Guardiola is "delighted" by the strength of Manchester City's title defence and said a win over Chelsea on Sunday will ensure his side challenge Liverpool all the way for the Premier League trophy.
City entertain Maurizio Sarri's side knowing victory will bring them level on points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League, although the Reds will have played one game fewer than the champions.
Chelsea are fifth in the table – the position they finished in last season, just a year after winning the title under Antonio Conte in 2016-17.
Guardiola expressed his pride at having seen his side avoid the fate that befell Chelsea and others, with Manchester United the last team to successfully defend the title in 2008-09.
"I know in the last five or six years what happened with the champions the year after, in which position they were," Guardiola told reporters.
"All of them, they were out. They did not have a chance in that period to win the Premier League.
"We are there. That is one the things I am most delighted about this season."
City's four-game league winning streak came to an end when they lost 2-1 at Newcastle United on January 29, but Guardiola insisted the result was not a reflection of complacency among his players.
"When the people say, 'You underestimated Newcastle.' No, no," he said.
"You don't underestimate anyone if you are in the final of the Carabao Cup again and you are in all the competitions and fighting.
"The previous seasons, Leicester [City] and Chelsea and the other ones – no chance. We are there.
"We want to be there until the end. [Sunday] will help us. If we are able to win the game I am pretty sure until the end we will be there fighting to be champions again."
Guardiola dismissed suggestions that Liverpool failing to beat Leicester and West Ham before overcoming Bournemouth on Saturday displayed that Jurgen Klopp's side had lost their edge.
"I don't know how you connect a lack of mentality with dropping four points, two draws," said the City boss. "I don't see the connection.
"Maybe they dropped points because Leicester did a good job and West Ham – it's always difficult to play against Manuel Pellegrini."
