Will City win the league again?

24 Aug

This is a guest post from Samuel at Web Expression.

Manchester City were exceptional in 2017/18. In what was one of the best showings from a champion in recent history, they became the first team to surpass one hundred points, and scored 106 goals in the process. Some of their most emphatic wins included a 5-0 demolition of ten-men Liverpool and a 4-2 Champions League rout over Napoli. Another result that showcased their prowess was a 1-0 win over Chelsea. While they may have only scored one goal, the former champions didn’t have a sniff the entire game and City comfortably dictated play for 90 minutes. It was a game that highlighted Guardiola’s style of play, controlling the pitch with de Bruyne (who scored a screamer), and nullifying any whiff of a Chelsea attack. Not only did City win the Premier League but they also won the Carabao Cup too, schooling Arsenal 3-0 in the final.

While they did set England alight, they weren’t as successful in Europe. Dreams of a first Champions League trophy were shattered when the Cityzen’s met Liverpool in the quarter finals. A 3-0 humbling at Anfield meant that the reds got off to the best possible start and left City with a monumental challenge at the Etihad. However, it wasn’t meant to be as they lost again, this time 2-1. Bet on City to win it this time around with Colossusbets.

A bigger question however is will City defend the title? Most bookies and fans believe so, but no team has successfully done so since Manchester Utd in 2008/09. Since then the league has become much more competitive, with a ‘top six’ appearing, in which any team could realistically win the trophy. Most people seem to think that Liverpool will be the biggest title rivals this time around, having made an excellent run to the final in the Champions League last season and making some great signings, including Naby Keita and Alisson. They finally seem to have sorted out their defensive issues, with van Dijk a colossus at the back and error-prone keeper Karius has been replaced. Key players have stayed too, including their electric front three, which has added to fans optimism. Chelsea are another team who you can never rule out. New manager Sarri was excellent at Napoli, giving Juventus a title chase for the first time in years, and he has bought a former player with him – Jorginho. They aren’t favourites for the title, but you can never rule Chelsea out when it comes to winning the Premier League.

Manchester City, without a doubt, have the most balanced and strongest squad in the league. We saw last season how well tuned they are, and no players have left that would alter that. Also, Riyad Mahrez (one of the league’s best) has arrived for £60m. Sadly, de Bruyne is out for 3 months, which could be a major blow for the team. He gets City going, but I think that they will cope well enough without him. Liverpool may cause the most problems, but I can see City retaining the title.

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