Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City won the title last season with a record 100 points, and they are being tipped as favourites to lift the trophy for a second year running.
However, Liverpool and Chelsea are currently ahead of City after three round of Premier League fixtures played, but Guardiola has warned the two teams that the season is still fresh.
“After one day off we’re going to prepare for the game against Newcastle and then the international break,” he said.
“And after we come back from the international break the real season starts, in terms of games, games, games.
“We know how difficult it will be – you can imagine against Newcastle and Rafa Benitez it will be tough.
“They’re well-organised defensively and we have one week to prepare. ‘We won a point or dropped two or whatever but it’s part of the competition.
“That rumour of how good we are – we’re a good team but the league is so long and we’ve done only three league games and there’s a lot still to do.”