Manchester City's 12 Days of Christmas
Christmas is a key period in the football calendar, with games every few days to keep fans happy during their time off work. And for Manchester City, who find themselves just three points adrift of leaders Chelsea in the Premier League table, every match is of vital importance.
They are in fine form currently, having won eight straight matches to cut away at Chelsea’s lead. Having done so well to get back to within touching distance of the Jose Mourinho’s rampant side, they know they need to maintain the pressure by having a positive Christmas period.
So what, in an ideal world, would City receive as gifts during the 12 days of Christmas?
A Surprise West Ham Win over Chelsea
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In the early Boxing Day kick off, West Ham, who beat City 2-1 at Upton Park earlier in the season and currently lie fourth in the table, take on leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. With City just three points behind the leaders, would there be a more perfect start to the festive period than a West Ham win?
3 Points Against West Brom on Boxing Day
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And the best way to follow that up would be with a win of their own when they travel to West Brom for the 3 p.m. kick off.
If City do manage to beat West Brom on Boxing Day, they will equal the club record of nine straight victories.
They will go into the match without a striker, with injury ruling out Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic, and so James Milner is expected to continue in an unfamiliar role up top. Three points, regardless of performance, would be very welcome given the circumstances.
A Fit Stevan Jovetic
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Out of City's three injured strikers, only Jovetic has any chance of playing before the New Year. With City set to take on Burnley and Sunderland before either Dzeko or Aguero are available again, it's imperative for them that they get Jovetic back into the side to lead the line.
Milner, ably assisted by David Silva, did a superb job upfront against Crystal Palace on Saturday, but a recognised striker would provide a welcome boost for those matches.
Jovetic, as ever, has impressed before his recent injury, and his qualities would add an extra dimension to the City side that won comfortably against Palace.
No Further Injuries over Christmas Spell
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City have suffered their fair share of injuries in recent weeks, which makes their winning run all the more impressive.
However, they can't go on losing players. An injury-free Christmas would certainly be a welcome sight at the Etihad.
Frank Lampard Agrees 5 Extra Months
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Frank Lampard has done nothing but impress since he arrived at City on loan from New York City FC this summer.
The 36-year-old former Chelsea man has brought goals and quality to the City side and has become an integral part of Manuel Pellegrini's plans.
He is a slick media operator, a true professional who young players can look up to and he still has plenty to offer on the pitch.
And City want him to stay for longer, despite the MLS season getting underway in March. An extra five months of Lampard magic would make Pellegrini a very happy man.
The Saints Go Marching on
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Chelsea visit Southampton on Sunday before City play host to Burnley. Southampton's form of late hasn't been particularly good, but a comfortable win over Everton in their last match will have given them some renewed optimism.
Is it too much to ask for Chelsea to drop more points?
A Record-Breaking Win over Burnley
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Given City's injury woes at the moment, it's fair to say the fixtures have fallen rather nicely for them over the festive period.
Burnley, who remain in the bottom three of the Premier League as it stands, are City's opponents after the trip to West Brom, and a win against the Clarets, coupled with a win over the Baggies on Boxing Day, would see them extend their winning run to 10 matches, a club record.
A Gift for Jesus
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And during that festive win over Burnley, wouldn't it be nice if Jesus played a role?
City's flying winger, Jesus Navas, only has one goal to his name this season, and that was in the Capital One Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday back in September. It would be a fitting reward for some excellent recent performances if he was to notch another.
City to Sit Top of the Table Heading into the New Year
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What a boost it would be for the blues to head into 2015 top of the table after being as far as eight points behind Chelsea only a few weeks ago.
As Pellegrini has continually noted, the title is never won at this stage of the season, but, psychologically, being top brings real benefits.
City Offload Fringe Players
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When the January transfer window opens, one of City's priorities will be to get rid of the players in their squad who remain on the periphery of the squad.
The likes of Scott Sinclair and Matija Nastasic, whose fall from grace has been spectacular and confusing, would surely be better off chasing first-team football elsewhere. It would also allow City to bring some funds in and offset some of the FFP restrictions.
City's Academy Stars to Get a Christmas First-Team Chance
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City officially opened their new CFA facility recently. It's a £200 million, 80-acre youth development and first-team training centre built adjacent to the Etihad Stadium.
Obviously, it will take time for the CFA to really take effect and start producing young players fit for the City senior side, but, in the meantime, as a reward for the club's hard work and vision, it would be a lovely gift for a young player, such as Jose Angel Pozo, to continue his recent first-team involvement over the festive period and beyond.
Sergio Aguero Back to Full Fitness
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Pellegrini will point to the fact that City won the league last season without a fully fit Sergio Aguero for much of the second half of the campaign, yet still a feeling persists that their title chances rest on his fitness.
This Chelsea side looks formidable, and to beat them City need to be at their absolute best. Aguero is far and away the best finisher at the club and they need him fit.
The good news is that his latest injury was a knee injury after an unfortunate fall—not another muscle injury, which were becoming a concern last season.
If he returns early in the new year and remains fit for the remainder of the campaign, suddenly City will feel much more optimistic about retaining the trophy they won back in May.
Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.
