Manchester City is still in the running for an unprecedented second consecutive treble. Pep Guardiola’s men won three titles last year for the first time in their history. They have once again made it to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League, the semifinals of the FA Cup and are only a point behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League table, with 10 matches to go.
Real Madrid should prove to be very difficult opponents for Manchester City
The Cityzens have been drawn to face the mighty Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals in April. It is the third season in a row that Guardiola’s men have run into Europe’s most successful club of all time.
Having a difficult fixture somewhat early in the competition has both its pros and cons. On the negative side, the Cityzens will stand a considerable chance of being knocked out by Los Blancos. However, on the flip side, they will have that extra bit of motivation and confidence should they be able to get the better of Real Madrid.
For all their dominance in domestic football during the past decade or so, the Cityzens have won only a solitary Champions League title. Guardiola, therefore, will look to add another feather to his cap by winning his fourth Champions League title as a manager.
The race for the Premier League title should go down to the wire
It is a three-way race for the domestic league title in England, with Arsenal being in contention aside from Manchester City and Liverpool. However, City will remain the favourites by a small margin, given their track-record, the quality in their squad and also Guardiola’s presence on the touchline.
Manchester City has won the league title five times in last six seasons and will feel that it remains for theirs to lose this season, too. However, Liverpool will have extra motivation this season, as it is Klopp’s last as their manager. Moreover, the Reds are not playing Champions League football this season. Although they are playing in the UEFAEuropa League, their main priority will likely be on the domestic title.
Arsenal, meanwhile, did come very close to winning the league title last season, but was ultimately pipped at the post by the Cityzens. Mikel Arteta’s men will look to make amends finishing on top this time around.
They will get a fantastic chance of getting closer to their goal by beating Manchester City in their monumental clash on 31 March. If the Cityzens are to win to the Premier League, they cannot afford lose against the Gunners that day.
Manchester City, however, will probably feel most confident of winning the FA Cup out of all the three competitions they are alive in. They will face Chelsea in the semifinal, with either Manchester United or Coventry City awaiting them in the final – should they get past the Blues.
Guardiola should feel that the FA Cup title is for the taking. However, even then, a potential resurgence of Manchester United, who overcame Liverpool in the quarterfinals, cannot be ruled out altogether.