The Blues’ 4-0 season-opening victory is starting to feel like a long time ago.
Manchester City fans have had their hearts broken in the two matches since the strong start Its most recent match may have been the worst, as the club blew an early 1-0 lead to Brighton & Hove Albion in the second half. A penalty resulted in one goal, but the Blues allowed another in the 89th minute to seal their fate.
The heartbreaking loss was made worse by news that veteran Ilkay Gundogan was moving to Galatasaray on a free transfer. While he wasn’t contributing much lately, his first stint with the club saw him become a fan favorite as he helped lead them to EPL and FA Cup trophies.
While some City fans are starting to wonder if this young club is en route to a disappointing 2025/26 campaign. Below, we’ll share why we believe they are wrong.
Rodri is Back and Ready to Win
After almost a year, City finally has Ballon d’Or winner Rodri back on the pitch. The star midfielder didn’t take long to resume a leadership role, publicly pressing his teammates to step up.
“This is a collective. When we won in the past, I needed all my teammates. For sure, I have to recover and find my best level,” Rodri told reporters after the club’s loss to Brighton. “It’s not because I’m back, we’re going to win. It’s a collective sport. Hopefully, after the break, we can come back much better.”
Rodri’s word will carry weight with a lot of this year’s young squad. Playing with the superstar back on the pitch adds a new level of accountability, which will help this team focus and thrive. If they can figure that out before Rodri returns to form, the Sky Blues could still end up taking home an EPL title this season.
Sportsbooks Not Selling in the City
The growth of the football media landscape can make it hard to know who to trust. With analysts motivated by gaining social media followers and advertisement deals, too many are willing to publicly share opinions that they don’t actually agree with.
The sports betting industry isn’t always the best predictor of future performance, but they have far more invested in being right. While odds are set based on more factors than who they believe will win, they can help give an overview of where the analysts and betting public view a club’s chances.
Most major football betting sites currently rank Manchester City with the third-best odds to win the EPL this season. While it has dropped after the team’s slow start, it's clear they aren’t ready to drop them below the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham.
We aren’t prepared to place a big money wager on City to beat out Arsenal and Liverpool this season. However, we will be checking the guide to free bet codes and offers to back the Blue.
Schedule Allows for Team to Adjust
Fortunately, the Blues have a two-week break before their next match. This will allow this young team to adjust to playing together, especially with Rodri back in the lineup. It will also force the team to sit with the painful start as they hear experts and analysts question their ability. If this squad has any fight in them, that motivation will be a massive boost.
City will face United and Arsenal this month but will be able to enjoy a more manageable schedule after that. This will allow the young team to grow together while also delivering enough wins to remain in the race for the EPL Trophy. It will also set them up nicely for January and February, when the club will face Chelsea, United, Tottenham, and Liverpool. It also features an emotional UEFA Champions League match against Gundogan and Galatasaray.
The second half of the season’s brutal schedule will test this club, but it will also allow it a massive opportunity. If City can reach top form and win those matches, it should give them enough to make a late run and capture its 11th EPL title.