December last year. Manchester City was losing points in four consecutive matches. City coach Pep Guardiola was in doubt about the title fight, being in the top four. He said, ‘The situation is such that we cannot play in the Champions League next season.’
A lot has happened in the last three months since that day, but City have not lost another game in the league. Arling Holland-Kevin De Bruina has returned from injury. By getting these two, City should regain its own ‘DNA’. Another invincible journey begins. Guardiola is surely now thinking about retaining the title instead of worrying about finishing in the top four. However, the road ahead for City is not easy at all. Especially the next three matches. The three matches that can build the team’s title-destiny.
City lost 1-0 against Aston Villa on December 6 last year. This is City’s latest defeat in the league so far. Guardiola’s team won 10 of the next 12 matches. They drew with Crystal Palace and Chelsea in the other two matches. At this time, the club has brought back their fearsome form in the Premier League. At the moment, City is only 1 point behind Liverpool who are at the top. In 27 matches, Liverpool’s points are 63, City’s 62. Last night against Manchester United, they came from behind to win 3-1.
As a result, they crossed the first of the four major obstacles ahead. Now the next three matches are going to be the ordeal for this, where they will face the top three teams in the points table. As a result, the league title can be decided in these three matches.
City’s next match in the league is against Liverpool.
In this match, there is a chance to rise to the top. Guardiola’s team will top Liverpool if they win at Anfield. However, the task will not be easy against Liverpool in their own field. Jurgen Klopp’s side have been in great form lately. They have not lost any match at home this season. So Hollande-De Bruynes will have to do something great to beat Liverpool.
If City can overcome the tough challenge of beating Liverpool, it will give them confidence going into the match against Arsenal. City’s next opponents are the Gunners, who are in great form in the league. Arsenal are not to be taken lightly even though the match is at the Etihad. In recent times, Arsenal have not only been winning, but have been leaving their opponents in the lurch. Mikel Arteta’s side have scored 15 goals in their last three matches. So if they beat this team after Liverpool, City will go a long way towards the title.
City face Aston Villa after Liverpool-Arsenal tie. One of City’s three defeats so far this season was against the Villa Park side. As a result, this match is revenge for City. That’s why Guardiola’s followers will be a little more desperate to win the match. But beating Aston Villa after Liverpool-Arsenal would mean a fourth consecutive league title with one hand. Because, after that, there is no other big team in front of City except Tottenham. It will not be too difficult for City to pass that far.
The City match is now the most challenging for Liverpool. If they win that match at home, they will go a long way towards winning the title. However, some difficult matches will await them. They have to play against Manchester United, Tottenham and Aston Villa. Therefore, even if they are at the top, Liverpool has no chance to be comfortable for now.
For Arsenal, the path is similarly difficult. They face Chelsea before the ordeal against City. Then there are matches against Tottenham and Manchester United. Last season too, the Gunners were knocked out of the title race by losing points at the end. This time, Arteta’s team has to enter the field with extra caution.