Manchester City return to action after the international break to start what will be a hectic three-week period ahead of November’s big derby game against Manchester United.
City kick things off on Saturday, October 20, with a home fixture against Burnley in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola’s side will head into the weekend top of the table, level on 20 points with Chelsea and Liverpool.
City are heavily fancied to pick up three points against the Clarets, with bookmakers pricing them up at around 1/14 to win the game.
Punters planning to bet on winningsportsbets.co.uk on the outcome of the match may decide the 8/15 available for the home side to win to nil will be the way to play this one.
City return to Champions League action the following Tuesday when they travel to face Shakhtar Donetsk.
A 2-1 victory at Hoffenheim in their last game moved City up to second in the Group F standings, just one point behind leaders Lyon.
The two sides previously met in the competition two seasons ago, with City winning 2-0 at home but losing 2-1 in the Ukraine.
Another tough test awaits in the Premier League on Monday, October 29, as the North West club visit title rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
City did the double over Spurs last season, but the home side will be eager to show they are genuine contenders this term and the game promises to be a tense encounter.
Guardiola is likely to shuffle his pack when his side take on Fulham in the Carabao Cup the following Thursday, particularly with a home league game against Southampton scheduled just three days later.
City have lost just two of their last 15 meetings with Saints in all competitions and this should be another comfortable afternoon for Guardiola’s team.
Shakhtar visit the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League on Wednesday, November 7, and a win here should take City a step closer to qualifying for the last 16 of the competition.
City’s packed schedule over the next few weeks ends with the massive derby encounter with United on Sunday, November 11.
The two sides last met back in April, with goals by Paul Pogba (2) and Chris Smalling sealing a remarkable comeback from a two-goal deficit for United.
City have won just two of their last eight meetings with United in all competitions and they will be keen to improve that record against their local rivals this time around.