The Perth Cup: Who will Man City play in their opening fixture?
By Hidayah Ali
Manchester City are heading out on a tour in Australia next month and also prepare to win themselves a trophy in the first-ever edition of The Perth Cup.
It was announced a while back that Manchester City Women's team would be travelling to Australia in the month of August as part of a Summer tour. But, they would also be one of the four teams participating in a new two-game competition named 'The Perth Cup'.
Winning the trophy would only require two wins from Man City; if they were to win their first fixture then they'd move on to the final. If they don't come out of their first fixture with a win, then they'd have to play a game to determine who comes third placed.
Claiming this new trophy in Australia would be a great and very positive way to start off their new season, especially when the determination to actually win an honour in the 24/25 season is very high.
Man City had a bit of a 50/50 type of outcome last season, while they kept their name involved in both the FA Cup and the Conti Cup until the later stages, and also went into the final day of the Women's Super League with a significant chance of winning and only missing out due to goal difference, they still do not achieve any trophy available to them - hence why their season could be seen as 50/50.
The upcoming season will be rather different for the Cityzens; while having the hunger to win any competition they take part in, they also have the new mentality knowing that they are more than capable of taking down some of their biggest rivals.
But, putting aside their quest in those competitions, first, they will focus on their time down under in The Perth Cup.
Manchester City's first opponent will be a familiar one, as they take on fellow Women's Super League club Leicester City.
The two clubs played each other a total of three times last season, two coming in the Super League and then another coming in the Conti Cup group stage.
In the League, Man City were victorious in both of their encounters, winning their first one 1-0 and then the other 2-0. However, in the Conti Cup, a 2-2 draw led Man City to lose points after The Foxes surpassed them 4-3 on penalties. Man City weren't greatly affected by that result, as they still managed to win their group and qualify for the next stage.
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A close game can be expected when the two meet on the 28th of August, but Man City will still be considered favourites to advance to the final. But, by all means, it won't be a remotely easy fixture for them, as we've seen that Leicester City can bring surprises to Man City.
Whatever happens in that game, Manchester City's next game would be either a third-placed game or a final - either one will be against West ham or Paris Saint-Germain.
The dates that are booked for Manchester City for this tournament come as the 28th of August and the 1st of September.