5 Key Premier League Fixtures for Manchester City to Focus on in 2015/16 Season
The 2015/16 Premier League fixtures have been released today and, as ever, fans across the world are looking at their team’s calendar and working out which games will have the most significant impact on their season.
Manchester City will be determined to reclaim their title from Chelsea after a disappointing campaign. Manager Manuel Pellegrini has been given a stay of execution and will lead the team once again into the final year of his three-year deal, with a big summer of spending expected at the Etihad as they look to make ground on Jose Mourinho’s men.
So what are City’s most important matches? Here’s a run down of five games that could go a long way in determining their Premier League season.
August 15 2015: Manchester City vs. Chelsea
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City's second match of the season is a big one. It's too early to say it will have any truly significant impact on their title chances, but it's an opportunity to make a statement of intent and show people the eight-point gap between the two sides at the end of last season wasn't a true reflection of the difference between the two sides.
Chelsea will start the season as favourites. Their consistency against the lesser sides saw them win the title comfortably last time out. City dropped nine points to the three relegated sides and must improve in that area.
A win in this one would represent a great start for Pellegrini and his side.
October 24 2015: Manchester United vs. Manchester City
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After City lost 4-2 to Manchester United at Old Trafford in April, a result which left them four points adrift of Louis van Gaal’s team with six games to go, they looked desperately short of confidence.
Few saw a six-game winning run coming, but that’s exactly what happened as City finished the season with a flourish, ending the league campaign nine points ahead of United. It was a dramatic swing in a short space of time.
This season, they face each other at Old Trafford in October, the weekend after a Champions League midweek fixture. The team which recovers most quickly and raises their game most impressively will get the vital three points.
November 28 2015: Manchester City vs. Southampton
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Southampton impressed last season. Their recruitment in recent years has been the envy of much of the division, and their academy has produced some wonderful talent. Ronald Koeman was widely praised for the style and quality his team showed last season after a summer of upheaval which saw them lose a string of talented players.
City face them in November after a Champions League fixture just a few days before. City struggled last season in similar circumstances, losing four of the eight games they faced immediately after European fixtures.
This will be a tough test.
April 16 2016: Chelsea vs. Manchester City
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City face a difficult run in—arguably the toughest of any of last season's top four—including a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in April.
City will hope to have made a better fist of the title race by this stage than they managed last season. Chelsea were allowed to walk away with the title too easily.
With only four matches remaining after this game, it looks set to be hugely important. City have failed to win there under Pellegrini, who will be hoping to make it third time lucky.
May 7 2016: Manchester City vs. Arsenal
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City's penultimate match of the season is at home to Arsenal, a fixture they lost last season.
Arsenal's 2-0 win back in January was remarkable. The Gunners won with ease, with Santi Carzorla running the game and collecting the man of the match award. City were completely outplayed.
If they still stand any chance of winning the title this time around, they cannot afford a repeat.
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