City's toughest opponent? The asterisk by their titles

BAYER LEVERKUSEN'S historic Bundesliga title, which broke Bayern Munich's run of 11 consecutive German championships, leaves the Premier League at risk of assuming an unwanted status.

- Dan Kilpatrick

For more than 30 years, the English top flight has traded off a reputation for competitiveness and unpredictability, but it is now six Manchester City wins from becoming the most predictable major league in Europe.

There have been three different winners of Spain's La Liga in as many years and Italy's Serie A title has changed hands in each of the past four seasons.

Here, by contrast, City are well-placed to become the first-ever club to win four consecutive English titles after their nearest challengers Arsenal and Liver pool both lost at home on Sunday to leave the holders two points clear at the top of the table with just half a dozen games to play.

Midfielder Bernardo Silva yesterday said their "inspiration and motivation" is a double treble - a feat which has never before been done and would give them a compelling case to be the greatest club side of all time.