Manchester City: The Next 6 Premier League Games

The defeat against Norwich seems to have caused some consternation amongst the Manchester City fans and the media have gleefully jumped all over the result – speculating the end is nigh.

Pundits have queued up to rubbish Manchester City’s defence and even Pep Guardiola. The defensive partnership is poor at the centre of defence – terrible they say. Of course, there was a bad game but is it really anymore than that?

Can anyone really put their hand on their heart and swear that Manchester City were poor defensively in either of the last 2 seasons? I am not suggesting there is no work to do, because there is. I know the loss of Aymeric Laporte will be felt but we do have cover – we just have to have our players defending again from the front.

We may well have some bad games where results do not go according to plan. That happens every season, but it isn’t necessarily signalling the death knell of our title challenge. To be absolutely frank if City are within 5 points of Liverpool in March then I fancy us to take the title again.

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Titles are won with runs of form at critical times. No one wins a title in August or September – other than Arsenal, and we know how that turns out every year!

So City have had a poor start to the campaign by their own meteoric standards. But I predicted before the season started the title would be won this year with a lower points tally because the top 6 sides will compete more strongly against each other. So far that is playing out and the next 6 Premier League games may give us a clearer picture of how the race may pan out.

In 7 League games time, Liverpool and City will face off in their first duel of the season – a rivalry which may be repeated a number of times in cup competitions as the business end of the season takes shape. So thouse next 6 games may well set up that Liverpool match nicely, in fact it is not a giant leap to suggest by then City might actually be top.

Manchester City’s Next 6 League Games

• Watford Home 21 September
• Everton Away 28 September
• Wolves Home 6 October
• Palace Away 19 October
• Villa Away 26 October
• Southampton Home 2 November

Liverpool’s Next 6 League Games

Chelsea Away 22 September

Sheffield United Away 28 September

Leicester Home 5 October

United Away 20 October

Spurs Home 27 October

Villa Away 2 November

So have faith blues. The pressure is on and City may well put a run together and shake the title race up. Let us hope for a reaction against Watford on Saturday.