The Blues managed 55 points in 2007/08 – the biggest haul since the Premier League reduced to 20 teams in 1995/96 – though we did finish with 57 points in the inaugural 42-match campaign three years earlier.
Nine more goals this term will set a top-flight scoring record, too, with Roberto Mancini’s side already on target to top last season’s best of 58 – all of which bodes well for the bid to gatecrash the top four and clinch a Champions League qualifying berth.
But Liverpool, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur all have the same ambition in what has become a four-way battle.
With Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal well set for the top three places and Birmingham and Everton off the pace, the remaining fixtures for the four hopefuls will be the key.
The Blues have a game in hand and six out of 11 games to be played at the City of Manchester Stadium. Crucially, two of the visiting teams will be Spurs and Aston Villa.
Liverpool’s toughest-looking games are at Manchester United and Birmingham, with a visit from Chelsea, though they will also face Wigan, Portsmouth, Sunderland, West Ham and Burnley.
On paper, Tottenham have the hardest run-in with trips to Stoke, City and Manchester United, while they will also host Arsenal and Chelsea in successive games.
Villa could find their cup exploits taking their toll in the latter stages of the campaign, though trips to City and Chelsea look to be their sternest tests.
Here are our fellow Champions League hopefuls’ remaining games:
TOTTENHAM: Blackburn (h), Stoke (a), Portsmouth (h), Sunderland (a), Arsenal (h), Chelsea (h), Man United (a), Bolton (h), Burnley (a). TBA City (a).
LIVERPOOL: Wigan (a), Portsmouth (h), Man United (a), Sunderland (h), Birmingham (a), Fulham (h) West Ham (h), Burnley (a), Chelsea (h), Hull (a).
VILLA: Stoke (a), Wigan (a), Wolves (h), Chelsea (a), Bolton (a), Everton (h), Portsmouth (a), Birmingham (h), City (a), Blackburn (h). TBC: Sunderland (h), Hull (a)
