The arrival of Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham has got everybody talking. Many see him as a breath of fresh air, and while Spurs sit at the top of the league and could genuinely be considered title contenders at present, one of the more refreshing aspects of him in the Premier League has been quite happy to “let the fans dream”.
Last season at the Etihad dreams came true. A treble like no other. Well, like one treble that had cast a shadow over City’s success of recent times from the red half of Manchester. That feat has been met now and in the words of Brian Clough, Manchester City have the opportunity to now “win it better”.
The 1999/00 season actually saw Alex Ferguson’s side drop out of the FA Cup, while the side only reached the Quarter Final of the Champions League. They did, however, lift the Premier League title once again.
And so, we move to this season. Pep Guardiola’s side are defending three titles, and they have the chance to do it “better” than what United could muster all those years ago. But, should we even be thinking about that right now?
Well, to follow Big Ange’s mentality, no it’s not too early. Let us dream, let us believe that the double treble is achievable. Because, after all, it is.
In fact, the bookies are pricing it relatively conservatively. Where once winning the treble would have been more like pulling a royal flush in a poker game that an online casino Netherlands based may have, most bookies have got it priced at around 16/1.
Naturally, 16/1 is still relatively long odds, but Italy are only 14/1 to win next year’s Euros, and while they are by no means the best team on the continent, they managed it last time out.
The Premier League
Breaking that 16/1 down, the club are heavy favourites with the bookies to win each individual tournament. Most pundits are tipping them to win the Premier League, despite a higher level of competition compared to recent years. Both Spurs and Arsenal are still unbeaten over a quarter of the way in, while Liverpool have looked solid too.
City are priced at 4/6 favourites though and despite losing consecutive games, they have come out strongly in last weekend’s derby and are back on track.
It is difficult to look past Pep’s men, who out of the four teams feel like they have it in them to consistently pick up points, soak up the pressure at the business end of the season, and get the points against the big sides when it really matters.
The FA Cup
In the FA Cup, the odds are a little longer, with City priced at 7/2, although they are still favourites. Arsenal, who are a good side in the competition, are priced at 6/1, while the odds lengthen considerably from there.
Circumstances and team selection often dictate a club’s progression in the cup though, and with the priority likely to be the league and Champions League, it could all depend on how tight it is in the top flight as to whether another treble march looks likely.
The Champions League
After hunting for the trophy for so long, defending the Champions League would be the icing on the cake for City fans. Only a handful of teams have managed to do it before, with City becoming the third English side to do so after Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, and only the second of the Champions League era.
Pep’s men are hefty favourites at 2/1 with most bookies and have enjoyed the perfect start to the new campaign. Bayern perhaps pose the biggest threat, with Harry Kane enjoying life in Bavaria, while you can never rule out Real Madrid, who have a habit of showing up on the big occasion, as City fans know only too well.
That said, every other fan around Europe will have City as the team to beat. And with good reason.
It’s time to dream. We don’t want to speak too soon, but, well, we are…could 2023/24 be the year to really make history?