After a near-perfect February, where Manchester City went undefeated in seven matches across three competitions, the Sky Blues will face their toughest challenge this season. They will play five matches in three competitions this month. Their opponents will be difficult, and the results of these fixtures will determine their success in the 2023/2024 season.
On Sunday, 3rd March, Manchester City will begin this difficult month at home with a match against cross-town rivals Manchester United. The Sky Blues eased passed the Red Devils earlier this season, and the home team is favoured, but everything is still being determined in a derby. Manchester United will hope that they can disrupt Manchester City’s goal of being the first English team to win the top-flight title in four consecutive seasons.
After this game, Manchester City will shift their attention to the UEFA Champions League. They will host FC Copenhagen in the Round of 16 on Wednesday, 6th March. The Sky Blues won the reserve fixture, and they lead 3-1 on aggregate. They will hope to retain this lead and secure a place in the quarter-finals.
The Sky Blues will then travel to Liverpool to face the Reds on Sunday, 10th March. For many, this will be a title-deciding match. Manchester City failed to capitalize against Liverpool earlier this season, and it could be costly. The Sky Blues were cruising in the reverse fixture at home, but a late equalizer from the Reds saw both teams share the points. Manchester City cannot afford to drop more points in these fixtures.
After this English Premier League action, the Sky Blues will shift to the FA Cup. They will host Newcastle on Saturday, 16th March. The Magpies eliminated the Sky Blues from the Carabao Cup earlier this season, and the Sky Blues will need to be wary. Newcastle currently have a set of injuries which has impacted their performances, but they are still dangerous.
Manchester City’s final match in March 2024 will be at home against Arsenal. The Sky Blues will host the Gunners on Sunday, 31st March. Arsenal won the reserve fixture earlier this season late in the match via a wild deflected goal. Manchester City were unfortunate not to earn a draw in that match, and they will need to be weary in what will be seen as another title-deciding game.
Overall, City face difficult opponents in all five of their matches this month. In the EPL, they will come against their biggest rival, as well as their two major title contenders this season. Then, in the Champions League, they will face still opposition. Finally, in the FA Cup, they will face a club that has previously eliminated them from a different English Cup competition earlier this season.
Should the Sky Blues win all five of these matches, it would put them in a strong position heading into April. Winning all three of their EPL matches this month would put them at the top of the table. Defeating Copenhagen would see Manchester City advance to the Champions League’s Quarter-finals. In addition, overcoming Newcastle would see Manchester City advance to the FA Cup’s Semi-final.
But, City could just as easily find themselves in a difficult position. Should they fail to take maximum points from their three EPL fixtures, they may slip away from the title, thus allowing Liverpool and Arsenal to take the lead. Meanwhile, defeats to Copenhagen and Newcastle would see Manchester City eliminated from the Champions League and FA Cup.
In other words, March 2024 will either be a rewarding or damaging period for the Sky Blues this season. Will Manchester City inch further to silverware this season? Or will the 2023/2024 season lead to some disappointments?