Manchester City have arrived in March of 2025 with crucial fixtures ahead of them, which could determine the end of their season.
Manchester City have continued to struggle this season. In February 2025, the Sky Blues were eliminated from another competition as they fell to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League’s new knockout playoff round. City started well in the first leg, where it seemed that they would even go on to win the match. But a lapse in focus and some defensive errors quickly flipped a 2-1 lead into a 3-2 defeat by full-time. Then, during the return leg, the Sky Blues were bested by Los Blancos and they lost 3-1. It means there will be no Champions League glory in the 2024-2025 season.
As for the league, City struggled for results as well. They were bested by Arsenal at the start of the month, and they were also defeated by Liverpool. Manchester City did manage to defeat Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, however. The results mean that the Sky Blues still find themselves inside the top four spots in the English Premier League table.
The only positive that came from Manchester City’s list of fixtures in February 2025 came from their FA Cup game. Manchester City travelled to Leyton Orient for the competition’s Fourth Round, where the Sky Blues won the match. The result means that they have progressed in the competition. The FA Cup may also present Manchester City with a possibility of earning silverware this season. Thus far, heavy-hitters Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur have been eliminated from the competition. Should City continue to earn results in the FA Cup, this could see them hoist the trophy at the end of the season.
After a difficult February 2025 spell, how will March 2025 fare? For once, the senior men’s squad will receive some breathing space. They will only play three matches across two competitions, thanks to the March 2025 international break. City will be competing in the EPL as well as the FA Cup.
Manchester City will begin the month of March by hosting Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup’s Fifth Round. The game will be played on Saturday, 1 March. It will be the first time the two clubs have faced each other this century. The last meeting occurred during the 1988/1989 League Two season, where Manchester City won both encounters. A lot has changed since that match, but City should not overlook Plymouth. During the FA Cup’s Fourth Round this season, Plymouth defeated current league leaders Liverpool. Anything is possible in football, and Manchester City must be prepared to be at their best. If City can outbest Plymouth, then they would move into the quarterfinals, which are set to take place on 29/30 March.
Following this FA Cup game, the Sky Blues will shift their focus to the EPL for the remainder of March 2025. They will travel to Nottingham Forrest, where the match will be played on Saturday, 8 March. While the Sky Blues defeated Forrest earlier this season, this will be no easy match. Forrest have played very well this season, and they have competed for a top-four place.
Manchester City will then finish the month of March with a match against Brighton and Hove Albion. The Sky Blues will host the Seagulls on Saturday, 15 March. Manchester City were shocked by Brighton when playing them away earlier this season, and they will hope to avoid a repeat such a result at home.
Only three fixtures for the Cityzens to prepare for this month, unless they can surpass their FA Cup opponent and then add one extra match to the schedule.
In short, having been eliminated from the Carabao Cup and the UEFA Champions League this season, the Sky Blues are running out of possibilities to win silverware this season. Given the current standings in the EPL table, it is also extremely unlikely that they would win the title.
Therefore, the best bet City have this season is to win the FA Cup and to earn a top-four finish. It will require them to give it their all in the final three months of the season, and they will hope to be at their best. Otherwise, the Sky Blues could end the 2024/2025 season in disappointment.
How will things unfold in March 2025? Time will tell how the Sky Blues will play.