Man City low-down: Defending champions handed dream run-in to set up chase for a FIFTH title in a row... but brutal set of February fixtures awaits

Man City have been handed a a dream run-in, but February will be challengingLIVE BLOG: Follow Mail Sport's coverage as the top flight fixtures are releasedLISTEN to It's All Kicking Off! Why does Germany feel like a country unready to host Euro 2024?

Manchester City have received a dream run-in for the 2024-25 season as they bid to win a fifth Premier League title in a row.

City face fierce rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on April 5, and that represents their final game against a 'Big Six' club.

In fact, United are the only member of the 'Big Six' that the defending champions will face after February.

But the second month of 2025 promises to be a big test of whether City can remain the top dogs.

Their four matches in February will see them take on Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool and Tottenham, who all finished in the top seven last season.

City are chasing their fifth straight title after becoming the first English club to win four on the bounce, and they have a favourable run-in

Pep Guardiola will face his former assistant Enzo Maresca (right) on the opening day

A meeting with Mikel Arteta's Arsenal at the Etihad awaits in September

Should they come through this period unscathed, City will likely be in pole position to retain their crown given their favourable run-in.

Their final four fixtures will be against Wolves, Southampton, Bournemouth and Fulham at Craven Cottage - a run of games that will hold no fears for Guardiola's team.

City begin their season with a trip to Chelsea, and that is the start of a tricky beginning to the campaign for Guardiola's team.

They are due to host Arsenal in their fifth game on September 21, prior to travelling to Newcastle a week later.

The Gunners have been City's closest challengers in each of the last two seasons, and claimed four points against Guardiola's side across the two fixtures between the two clubs last term.

Chelsea also held City to two draws in 2023-24, and should provide an early challenge to the champions in what will be Enzo Maresca's first game in the Blues dugout after replacing Mauricio Pochettino. Maresca previously worked as Guardiola's assistant at City and will now go up against his former boss.

City picked up a pair of narrow wins over Newcastle last season, and this could be another difficult outing for them against a side set to battle for a European spot next season.

City's return match against Arsenal at the Emirates will take place on February 1, while fans will have also been keeping an eye out for when their side plays Liverpool given the entertaining title races between the two teams in recent years.

A trip to Anfield awaits on November 30, before the two teams meet against at the Etihad on February 22.

Read the full list of City's fixtures below: