Predictions for 2018/19 Season

Manchester City have already proven to have a fairly complete squad and its been well documented we have looked only at filling the Fernandinho role in preparation of the future plus the addition of Riyad Mahrez. No other signings are required unless a stellar opportunity is presented.

The squad is clearly excellent and this season should feel the benefit of the reuturning Benjamin Mendy’s early crosses and Mahrez’s dribbling to couple with the pace of Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus. This forward line can easily strike fear through pace into most defences and as long as it is unlocked by quick passing from KDB and David Silva, then City should comfortably finish again in the top two.

Last season, City were wasteful in front of goal for long periods and if those 15/20 missed goals are added then the coming season could be very interesting indeed. Last season, City played many teams who sat deep behind the ball and defended in numbers, but with the changes to the managers in the top division this year, there may be some more open games and potentially the possibility of winning games 4-3!

The real doubt for City though is the impact of the World Cup. With so many players in the later stages of the World Cup and then returning late to training following their rest – there is a real chance City will kick off the first two or three games of the new campaign missing 5/6 of the first team.

For this reason its my view the 2018/19 title may well be won in the first eight games of the season.

If City manage to establish a lead during this period they will be well in contention. If without key players they struggle to put points on the board then it will allow the contenders the opportunity to build a gap at the top by early October.

With games expecting to be closer than in the previous season any gap at all after 8 games will probably signal a title win.