Liverpool and Man City are one and two in the Premier League title standings at the moment. Pep Guardiola’s side is set to face a five-game test that will be tough.
You should only ever focus on yourself, of course, but that is easier said than done, especially in a Premier League title race that now appears to contain two other sides as well as Liverpool. Manchester City is back within a point again after its latest result.
Bournemouth was a match that Pep Guardiola’s side narrowly overcame, winning 1-0 thanks to a Phil Foden goal on Saturday. But Manchester City’s next five Premier League matches look a lot more of a test, not least coming all in a row.
Up next for the side that currently sits in second place is a home Manchester derby against United, before a trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool. Brighton (A), Arsenal (H) and Aston Villa (H) follow that.
That is not to say that Manchester City will definitely drop points in any of those matches. Few would bet on them losing against any opponent and nothing is decided yet. But we should have more of an idea of exactly where things stand in the title race after that period.
While Guardiola’s side will still have to play Spurs, Wolves and West Ham, among others, after that, all of whom can cause problems, it would be at a big advantage if Manchester City comes through the next five games unscathed. But that seems unlikely.
Liverpool can only take care of its own business — which includes hosting Manchester City, of course — but it will have half an eye on results elsewhere. A Manchester United side that has just lost at home to Fulham might not be much help for the Reds but there are other matches there that will prove tricky. Manchester City’s record at Anfield is not particularly good.
With a one-point lead heading into the final 12 fixtures of the campaign, Liverpool holds the advantage as things stand. Manchester City will not be going anywhere, but it is about to face by far its biggest run of tests.
