Man City's ruthless display against champions Liverpool sees them as even-money favourites to win back their Premier League crown next season, while another Kevin De Bruyne clinic has him as favourite to bag the PFA Player of the Year award.
We'll see whether Thursday was just a one-off for Liverpool, an almighty title party hangover, in the coming weeks, but Man City's 4-0 thrashing of the newly-crowned champions served as a reminder that Pep Guardiola's side remain technically the most talented in the league.
Jurgen Klopp's title winners simply cannot afford to be less than 100 percent when facing them, and they were running at almost half-speed once De Bruyne put City ahead at the Etihad on Thursday.
A glimpse of City's future
'Next season starts now' was Man City's mantra for Thursday's game, and they showed they're already up for the fight.
David Silva is on his way out of the club and Sergio Aguero is getting no younger, but City showed a little glimpse of what might be the next generation of Guardiola's side - starting with Phil Foden.
He's long been seen as the future for City but he's now the present, while Eric Garcia could well be Aymeric Laporte's long-term central defensive partner after dealing with Liverpool's attack impressively.
It's still going to be a two-horse race next term according to the bookmakers, with Liverpool just behind City at 5/4 and then Chelsea and Manchester United the only other real contenders, both at 14/1.
A few more results like this for Liverpool, and more good summer signings for Chelsea and United though will bring them in much shorter before the new season gets under way later this summer.
City are worthy favourites going on their results recently, while the new regulations involving substitutes plays into their hands with their squad strength and depth.
Playing with no fans is also a bonus as the lack of emotion and adrenalin puts more of a focus on technique and skill, and City are clearly the best in the league in that regard.
Southampton Manchester City
- 1900 BST kick-off on BBC One
- Prediction: Southampton 0-3 Man City (Sky Bet odds: 15/2)
- Best bet: Riyad Mahrez to score anytime at 9/5
De Bruyne the Player of the Year favourite
Speaking of skill and technique... the betting for 19/20 Player of the Year is stacked with Liverpool players, but De Bruyne has powered his way to the head of the market with his individual brilliance.
He scored and provided an assist in the same game for the fifth time in the Premier League this season, and leads the way for goal involvements with 28 in total - 11 goals and 17 assists.
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The Belgian star has now been involved in 30 goals in his last 31 Premier League games (12 goals, 18 assists) and if anything he's getting better.
He was asked to play a deeper role in the FA Cup at Newcastle proving his versatility and his growing maturity and influence on this City team.
De Bruyne will be the captain once David Silva leaves and that responsibility looks to be pushing him on even further.
Player of the Year odds
- 15/8 - De Bruyne
- 2/1 - Henderson
- 3/1 - Mane
- 8/1 - Van Dijk
- 11/1 - Alexander-Arnold
Click here for the Player of the Year betting market
Jordan Henderson remains De Bruyne's closest rival, and the Liverpool skipper has had quite the journey from almost leaving Anfield to becoming the man to lift the Champions League, Super Cup, World Club Cup and soon Premier League trophies for Liverpool.
He's obviously not as overtly talented as De Bruyne but his influence is huge, and the PFA award is, as the name suggests, voted for by the players - who all know just what impact he's had on Liverpool.
Sadio Mane is up there along with Virgil van Dijk with Liverpool boasting a tremendous team littered with stars - but De Bruyne remains the stand-out talent. The players will decide near the end of the season who lifts that award.
Can Reds regain record pace?
The hangover from the title party cannot last too long if Liverpool have ambitions of toppling Man City's Premier League record points total of 100.
The famous 'Centurion' team was lauded as the best ever after getting to three figures, but the Reds can still match and even surpass that if they get their act together.
Sat on 86 points currently with six games to go, Klopp's side can still get to 104 points if they win every game, which is of course possible, but they now need to win five of these six to achieve greatness.
Liverpool v Aston Villa
- 1630 BST kick-off on Sky Sports Premier League
- Prediction: Liverpool 4-0 Aston Villa (Sky Bet odds: Price Boosted to 16/1)
- Best bet: Liverpool on -2 handicap at 5/2
Liverpool's remaining games
- Sun July: Aston Villa (H)
- Weds July 8: Brighton (A)
- Sat July 11: Burnley (H)
- Weds July 15: Arsenal (A)
- Sat July 18: Chelsea (H)
- Sun July 26: Newcastle United (A)
They need four wins from these six games to take another record off Man City, that being for the most wins in a Premier League season of 32.
Guardiola's side managed that superb total during that epic centurion campaign of 2017/18, but Liverpool will have to be mentioned alongside them if they can match or even better that target.
Perhaps the most incredible record they still have to go for is to win every single home game of the season - something that's not been done in the top flight since 1892.
The Reds have won an incredible 23 straight home games at Anfield, and need three more wins this season against Villa, Burnley and Chelsea to bag this particular slice of history.
Chelsea (2005/06), Man Utd (2010/11) and Man City (2011/12 & 2018/19) have come close by winning 18 of 19 in a season so it just proves what an almighty achievement it could be - especially without fans for the last few games.
If they win their next two, it's fitting that their record-breaking attempt will come against Chelsea of all teams.
Odds correct as of 1100 BST on 03/07/20
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