A 29 day period that could make or break Man City’s season sees the Blues take part in crucial Premier League games, a tricky FA Cup 5th round, a favourable Champions League last 16 tie and a Capital One Cup final at Wembley. That 29 day period is the month of February…
Premier League – 2nd, 6th & 14th. (Sunderland, away, Leicester and Spurs at home)
The six-game campaign begins on the 2nd, in a Premier League away fixture at the Stadium of Light. Although struggling in the league, Sunderland always put up a hard fight when the blues come to town, and there’s no doubt that Allardyce will send out his men to shut down City. However, as hard fought this game could be, on paper it is most certainly the simplest of fixtures we have this month.
Back-to-back home games in the league follow as title-challengers Leicester and Spurs are welcomed to the Etihad on the 6th and 14th respectively. After failing to beat either team in the first half of the season, 6 points from 6 here would be a huge statement and would most definitely put us favorites for the title itself.
F.A Cup – 20th (Chelsea, away)
After dismantling Norwich and Villa with ease, City are drawn with yet another Premier League team in the F.A Cup 5th round but this time City take on Hiddink’s Chelsea. An even tougher fixture than the previous two, and despite brushing them aside in the league early on in the season, I suspect it will be much harder this time round.
Guus has the London outfit playing with more passion than before. His man-management has aided certain individuals to live up to their determined standards in recent weeks and they’re in a decent run of form in 2016. With rotation to the City squad expected and improvements in Chelsea’s performances, winning this tie would be an incredible feat and could put Pellegrini’s men in prime position for a domestic treble.
Champions League – 24th (Dynamo Kiev, away)
A cold Wednesday night in Ukraine is the first part of a two-part tie that stands in the way of Man City creating club history. The group-topping blues rode their luck in the last 16 draw of the Champions League and are now anticipating reaching a quarter-final for the first time ever.
Now, there’s no easy team in the competition, but with the quality in City’s side compared to the Ukrainians, there is no reason why progression isn’t on the cards for Pellegrini’s side.
Capital One Cup – 28th (Liverpool, Neutral)
Last, but certainly not least, comes a League Cup final at Wembley. An impressive 3-1 victory against Everton for City and a tense penalty shootout at Anfield for Liverpool matches the two sides in the first domestic final of the English season.
A 4-1 thrashing in favor of the Scousers last time out goes out the window because this is a cup final and whoever turns up on the day will most certainly lift the trophy. Played in the capital, Pellegrini has his first chance to win silverware and deliver a memorable day out for City fans travelling in their thousands.
Predictions
Premier League – 7 points from a possible 9, would be very content with this considering the fixtures and home advantage in the tricky ones should provide City with an advantage to restrain from defeat.
F.A Cup – Knocked out 5th round; with CL and a final during the same 8 day period, a fully rotated squad is to be expected to play against a Chelsea team who should well be going all out for the F.A Cup.
Champions League – Away legs in countries like Ukraine always prove difficult for any side and with the lack of Champions league experience City have in the latter stages, a draw would be okay here. However, I think our team is too strong for theirs and tight away win would set us up for the second leg – prediction: win.
Capital One Cup – With the news that Pellegrini will be out in the Summer, a cup final win would be a perfect send off for the Chilean. The boys should go all and play for the manager in charge for this one – prediction: win.
