Manchester City: 5 Key Games for Title Charge

Once January has passed us by, we'll be well into the second half of the season, past the tough Christmas and New Year's period and onto the home straight.

For a team like Manchester City, this is where it gets real.

The Citizens have been phenomenal so far this season. They've scored the most, conceded the least and clung onto the top spot in the English Premier League, month after month.

It could all still go horribly wrong though, and I've picked out five games that will, depending on the result, have a significant impact on the remainder of City's season.

Porto (H) and (A)

The UEFA Europa League is the only competition other than the English Premier League that Manchester City can still win.

But will they take it seriously? The games against Porto will shape that.

The Portuguese giants are an excellent team, and the Estádio do Dragão is a tough place to go and win. The only English team ever to have done it is Manchester United—courtesy of a 40-yard thunderbolt from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Should Manchester City field a weakened team for either fixture, we'll know their collective heart's not in it. To be fair, securing the English Premier League trophy is the main objective and the one Roberto Mancini really needs.

Blackburn (H)

The game after the Porto tie is Blackburn at home, crowning a very important month for Manchester City.

If City's Premier League record is still solid at the end of February, then they will have a fantastic chance of securing the title.

Importantly, City need to enter the home stretch for the title on a high.

Smashing Blackburn Rovers is both feasible and realistic. If they can win by four goals to guarantee a maintained feel-good factor around the Etihad Stadium, it'll do wonders for the title run.

Stoke (A)

The Brittania Stadium is a tough place to go. Many top teams come unstuck due to the aerial bombardment they come under via Stoke City's long throws and six-footers.

The same weekend, Manchester United entertain Fulham at Old Trafford. I know which fixture looks easier—on paper, anyway.

With the title race likely to be neck and neck, this weekend is one when Manchester City could unexpectedly drop points.

Manchester United (H)

On April 28th, Manchester City will resume rivalries with their neighbours right at the end of what is likely to be a very close title race.

It could be the critical game that decides which part of Manchester gets the trophy. Or even if it doesn't, and the trophy goes to London, it's certain to be a cracker of a match.

Manchester United now officially have a weaker squad than Manchester City. When was the last time we could say that?

This is a derby that City will fancy themselves in, and if they win it, they might well establish themselves as the current best team in Manchester.

It's worth noting that Manchester United will be looking for some revenge, having been demolished 6-1 on their home patch earlier on in the season.

Queens Park Rangers (H)

Last game of the season. Could be a big one.

Should the title go to the wire, Manchester City will need to keep their cool at home against Queens Park Rangers—something that is easier said than done.

We've seen how hard it can be for a team to keep its cool under that immense pressure; it wasn't so long ago that Wigan Athletic nearly upset Manchester United.

It'll be even harder if QPR are fighting for their lives, but it looks like they might keep their heads above water with the latest staff changes.