4 Reasons Manchester City Will Fall in Final Quarter of EPL Season

Tied with Manchester United atop the Premier League table, Manchester City has their work cut out for them in the final games this season.

They are at a disadvantage to Man U. as the Red Devils have a game in hand and could easily regain the top spot to themselves. 

The top two teams have one more Manchester Derby before the season ends, in what could be one of the most hotly contested matches this season.  

The fight for the trophy will be entertaining to follow through the middle of May and Manchester City will ultimately fall just short of their rivals. 

Manchester United

The Red Devils have not lost a league match since the New Year.  Since Dec. 31, Man U. is 9-1-0, with the only draw coming against Chelsea on Feb. 5. 

Their toughest fixture left on the schedule is against who else, but Manchester City.  Three other matches that could cause difficulties for Man U are against relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers, QPR and Wigan. 

Still, City has more difficult matches ahead of them than do United. 

Manchester City's Remaining Fixtures

Of City’s remaining eight fixtures, three are against top-six teams in Arsenal, Man U. and Newcastle United, while two are against teams currently in the relegation zone fighting to stay in the EPL. 

This will not be an easy schedule for Roberto Mancini and his squad.   

Defensive Injuries

City’s back line has been inconsistent since Vincent Kompany limped off the field in a Europa League match against Sporting Lisbon earlier this month. 

Kompany has not yet returned, and City has since dropped to second place behind United on the table.

Running the defense thinner, Joleon Lescott has also been out.  If they do not return soon, or if the club suffers anymore injuries to their defense, it will make it that much harder for City to control the top spot on the table. 

Carlos Tevez's Return

Tevez returned to City and appeared in the match against Chelsea last week. 

Coming off the bench and assisting on the game-winner, Tevez surely can help the club. 

Bringing him back into the fold is a risky move.  Just under two months left in the season is still plenty of time for something to go awry with Tevez and for him to become unhappy again.  He is very capable of causing problems and disturbing what the club has going.

City was winning without Tevez.  Bringing him back may help the club before the season ends, but there is a chance it could backfire.