Manchester City’s recent dip has led to growing doubts about their ability to stay at the top of the Premier League. Unexpected losses and mounting injuries have cast a shadow over the team, with critics questioning if City can sustain their usual dominance in England. Yet, given their proven track record, Pep Guardiola’s squad remains well-equipped to bounce back.
Here are three key reasons why Manchester City should not be overlooked as title contenders, despite their recent setbacks.
Man City’s history of title comebacks
A mid-season dip is not uncommon for Manchester City, and it’s a trend that Pep Guardiola’s teams have often followed. He tends to have his sides peak later in the season, particularly in March and April when the most crucial European fixtures take place. Historically, City has used this time to either catch up with or extend its lead over rivals.
This means that while they may not always be at their best during the autumn months, Guardiola is likely experimenting with new tactics and rotations to maximize his squad’s potential for the second half of the season.
In the 2022-23 season, Arsenal set the record for the most days spent at the top of the league without winning the title last season, holding the position for 248 days. On January 28, they were eight points ahead of Manchester City. However, Guardiola’s juggernauts rose to the occasion and put on a sensational winning run to take the title away from the Gunners.
Liverpool’s challenging run of fixtures could open the door for Man City
While Liverpool has enjoyed a strong start to the 2024-25 season, their upcoming fixtures present tough challenges, with matches against some of the league’s top teams likely to test their form. The Reds will play Southampton after the international break followed by a mouth-watering clash against Man City which could shape the league this season. The Champions League clash against Real Madrid will be followed by tricky away fixtures against Newcastle United and neighbors Everton.
These fixtures, along with others, could result in Liverpool dropping crucial points, potentially impacting their standing in the title race, particularly if their Man City find their groove after the international break.
Too early in the season
With only 11 games played and a 5-point lead, it’s still early days, and the season is far from decided. History has proven that such a deficit can be reversed, with teams making remarkable recoveries in the latter part of the campaign.
Last year, City experienced a similar rough patch around this time, managing just one win from a stretch of six league games, with their only victory being a narrow 2-1 triumph over Luton. After a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace, they were on 34 points from 17 matches. This season, they’ve accumulated 23 points from 11 games, suggesting they are still on track to reach a similar tally of 40 points at the halfway point, just like last year.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
