Manchester City: December fixtures will shape title challenge

Manchester City are one of the strongest contenders for the Premier League title this season. How Pep Guardiola’s team perform in December, however, will go a long way towards determining just how strong City’s title bid will ultimately be.

Manchester City have been the favorites to win this season’s Premier League ever since the 2016-17 campaign began. After 13 games, Pep Guardiola’s men still remain the favourites for the title, despite currently sitting in third place.

Guardiola has had a few hiccups in his first 13 games as a Premier League manager. So far, City have won nine games, drawn three and lost one this season. Third place is fair at this point, although it is below some of the lofty preseason predictions of City dominance.

The fact that Manchester City are still clear favourites, despite being a little unpredictable at times, could be a surprise in some quarters. And especially with the early-season form of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and the recent hot form of Antonio Conte’s Chelsea.

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In fact, it is Chelsea who currently lead the table after 13 games. The Blues started out slow, but have since won seven games in succession, conceding just one goal during that run. Yet City remain favorites ahead of everybody else.

That’s likely due to the reputation of Guardiola rather than City’s performances to date. However, December is set to be a key month for the Citizens, so City and Guardiola need to fully click sooner rather than later.

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The month starts out with a clash with leaders Chelsea, before a trip to play the champions, Leicester City. Then Arsenal and Liverpool follow in the next four games. December is always a difficult month for every Premier League club, given the congested Christmas fixture list.

But for City, December is going to be pivotal in determining the true strength of the club’s title bid. A strong showing and maybe City can run away with things in the second half of the season as some predicted. Maybe.

But an indifferent or poor showing and City are going to drop further into the chasing pack. The Manchester City that beat Barcelona almost a month ago would navigate the December fixtures with focus and confidence. But how often does that City show up?

Where was that Manchester City when Middlesbrough snatched a draw at the Etihad Stadium earlier this month? Where were they as Southampton did exactly the same? At present, City are pretty likely to win most games they play, but you just can’t be sure of anything yet.

There’s an undercurrent of doubt there, just lingering at all times, in every game. Guardiola’s City do impress, but without fully inspiring confidence. Even against Burnley last weekend, it was much closer than expected.

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So although City are facing a pivotal month in December, It’s impossible to predict which way things will fall. City could well excel and firmly establish themselves as undisputed title favorites come the end of the month.

But although that’s what the club will be looking to do, you just cant rely on Guardiola’s City doing anything just yet.

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