Manchester City come out of the international break in 3rd place in the Premier League, one point behind Liverpool above them and a further point behind current leaders Chelsea.
However, this all comes on the back of a tough run of fixtures, after City have played both of those clubs away from home. Four points is a very solid return, with a win at Chelsea followed up by a 2-2 draw at Anfield.
Just one big game comes in the Premier League in this period, and that is a trip to Old Trafford for the Manchester Derby. Every other game they play in the league, is one they will strongly fancy their chances of three points. No silly slip ups and a big performance at Old Trafford and City could claim maximum points from those games, and that should be the aim. Despite being down in 3rd, City remain title favourites with the bookmakers, after winning it last season. Go through the rest of 2021 picking up maximum points from every game and new licensed betting sites are going to make them a lot shorter in the title race, as they once again show their dominance.
Upcoming Fixtures Should Make Fans Smile
Two league games remain in October, starting with a trip to Brighton and followed by a home game against Crystal Palace. Both games will be ones that Pep Guardiola feels he can win, even with cup games in both the Champions League and EFL Cup surrounding them.
The team then moves onto November, with their first league game of the month being that tough trip to Old Trafford on November 6. Three points here would be a real boost for the team and would likely kick them on to success in the month. Home games against Everton and West Ham round off the month and being strong at home is vital for a title run, so these need to be won.
December starts with away trips to Aston Villa and Watford, two places that City will feel comfortable they can go and get three points from. They then return home to face Wolves and Leeds, while an away trip to Newcastle, who have recently been taken over, is their final game before Christmas.
They return for two more after, with Leicester at home on Boxing Day and Brentford away a few days later. If there is a negative in this schedule then it is certainly the business of December, with eight games scheduled in the month. That will be the same for others though, with most teams playing seven or eight that month.
Aside from their trip to Old Trafford, City do not face one of their other traditional top six rivals between now and the end of 2021. The tougher games, such as Everton, West Ham and Leicester are all at home, and that could well lead to them winning every single game between now and the end of the year.