Predicting the Outcome of Manchester City's Final 7 Premier League Games
Manchester City still have plenty to play for this season. Their form over the last two months has been poor, with their title hopes now gone.
However, a UEFA Champions League quarter-final, the club's first ever, and a fight to ensure a top-four finish in the Premier League mean every game between now and the end of the season has real meaning.
Quite how City have conspired to throw their title chances away, this season of all seasons, is a mystery to many. The traditional top teams have been well below their best. City, who started the season in fine form and looked to be champions-elect, should have walked it.
But a series of missed opportunities and their inconsistent form have blown it. They are 15 points behind Leicester City, the surprise leaders and clear favourites with seven games to go.
Manuel Pellegrini, who would have left this summer as the club's most successful manager had he managed another Premier League title, will rue this missed opportunity. It's doubtful he'll ever get a better chance to win a league title again.
But securing a top-four place is now of huge importance. The club are expecting the Pep Guardiola era to yield big things, but relegation to the UEFA Europa League would be an awful way for it to begin.
Pellegrini's squad have a habit of finishing seasons strongly. Last season they won their last six Premier League matches to finish comfortably in second when at one stage they looked like slipping out of the Champions League places; and the two times City have won the league in recent memory has been through mounting late charges.
The Chilean will be hoping this group of payers have one more big finish in them before he hands over the reins.
It won't be easy. City, who sit fourth, have seven league games remaining, four of which are away. Manchester United sit just one point behind in fifth and are ready to pounce.
United aren't playing particularly well, in fact, it's arguably the worst Old Trafford side of the last 25 years, yet they have found some form at the right time and will pose a threat to City right until the end.
Where are City's points coming from? Here, we look at their seven remaining fixtures, discuss their opponents and make predictions. Feel free to use the comment section below to add your own.
April 9: West Bromwich Albion, Home
1 of 7
Perhaps City's easiest game is their next one: A home fixture with West Bromwich Albion this weekend.
City have traditionally fared well against Tony Pulis' sides, and they battered the Baggies in the season opener, winning 3-0 in one of the most comprehensive wins Pellegrini's side have produced in a long time. There's little doubt they have a far superior squad.
If City do beat them, they will register back-to-back league wins for the first time since October, having beaten Bournemouth 4-0 at the weekend. It's remarkable that a side with City's quality hasn't won two on the bounce in close to six months, but it underlines their inconsistency.
Pulis' sides are often organised and play a direct style. Teams have frustrated City playing that way this season, but they must be prepared to be patient and confident in their ability to break them down.
Prediction: City 3-0 West Brom
April 16: Chelsea, Away
2 of 7
City move from their easiest remaining game to arguably their most difficult. Chelsea, in form and with the pressure off, pose a real threat to City's top-four hopes.
Chelsea are currently second in the form table having won four and drawn two of their last six games. Interim manager Guus Hiddink has had a calming effect. Players who looked inhibited and even distressed under Jose Mourinho are once again free and happy playing football. It's a bad time to play them.
If City were to manage a draw, it would be a good result. Much will depend on whether they can get some of their big-name players back fit and firing.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 City
April 19: Newcastle United, Away
3 of 7
City's rearranged game with Newcastle United is next, a fixture put back because of their involvement in the Capital One Cup final.
Surely, it's a game City will be banking on winning. Newcastle have recently appointed a top manager, but Rafa Benitez isn't a miracle worker and he's inherited a squad with serious deficiencies, particularly at the back.
The Magpies' defeat to Norwich City at the weekend was harsh given the nature of the winning goal, but it once again showed how fragile they are defensively.
They're a lop-sided squad, with some serious talent in places but with plenty of holes. Georginio Wijnaldum can be a fine attacking outlet, while Aleksandar Mitrovic, just 21, is a throw-back striker who plays with his back to goal and is exceptional in the air. Both will pose a threat.
They can be dangerous, but City will surely win this one.
Prediction: Newcastle 0-2 City
April 24: Stoke City, Home
4 of 7
City owe Stoke a hiding after the one Mark Hughes' men dished out earlier in the season at the Britannia Stadium. Pellegrini's team were abysmal that day, completely outplayed from start to finish. The 2-0 scoreline flattered them.
Stoke ran harder, further and quicker, and they produced far more quality on the ball. It's rare to see City so comprehensively outplayed but Stoke did it.
Hughes has changed them from the physical, route-one side of the past into one capable of playing open, attractive football. He's added excellent players. Marko Arnautovic, Xherdan Shaqiri and Bojan Krkic, in particular, have brought added class and it makes them a serious danger.
City's home form this season has been poor. They've lost five already, as many as they have in their previous four Premier League campaigns. This will be a difficult afternoon.
Prediction: City 1-1 Stoke
May 1: Southampton, Away
5 of 7
Southampton, currently seventh, seven points behind City having played a game more, pose a danger. They have won 50 percent of their home games and have players who can do damage. Ronald Koeman, one of the game's most respected figures, has them playing a decent brand of football.
However, if City want to finish as high up the table as they can, this is the kind of game they must win. Southampton have threatened a Champions League push all year without it ever materialising properly. They're a solid but unspectacular side, and City are very much capable of a result.
Sadio Mane is perhaps the biggest danger, a player with plenty of pace and trickery who can produce the unexpected. Graziano Pelle, too, will need nullifying.
City, though, should have more than enough.
Prediction: Southampton 1-2 City
May 7: Arsenal, Home
6 of 7
Will Arsenal still harbour title hopes by the time this game rolls around? It seem increasingly unlikely given Leicester's charge shows no sign of abating.
What City can't allow is a repeat of last season's fixture where Arsenal dominated from start to finish, with Santi Cazorla the star of the show. They outpassed and outclassed City in midfield and deservedly won 2-0.
Arsenal still have frailties, though. They can look disorganised and weak at the back at any moment. Put them under pressure, and they don't like it.
City can't afford anymore insipid home displays—there have been too many already this season. High-intensity pressing and quick pass-and-move football will see them beat Arsenal.
Prediction: City 2-1 Arsenal
May 15: Swansea City, Away
7 of 7
A long trip to Swansea City on the final day isn't ideal, but it's a very winnable fixture.
The Welsh side have had a turbulent season, with a change of manager and a seeming inability to kick on and build on their progress of recent seasons. They've won just six games at home and sit 15th.
A Manchester City win surely beckons.
Prediction: Swansea 0-3 City
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