The last round of fixtures dealt a body-blow to Manchester City’s hopes of landing their first league title since 1968, but is the top prize now out of reach for Roberto Mancini’s expensively assembled side?
Earlier in the campaign it looked as if City were going to storm the title but with just one win in their last four league fixtures, it seems safe to say nerves are starting to jangle at the Etihad Stadium, while fierce rivals Manchester United have, predictably, hit top form at exactly the right time.
The Old Trafford outfit have recorded nine victories in their last 10 Premier League games and have won their last seven on the spin, to take a five-point lead at the top of the title with just seven games remaining.
Manchester United are now 1/8 to secure the Premier League title this season with Totesport, while City can be backed at 5/1.
However, Mancini hasn’t given up on the top domestic prize just yet, but he concedes City need to win all seven of their remaining fixtures if they are to seal Premier League glory.
“We have seven games – 21 points. I think with 92 points we will win the title,” explained the Italian
“We should be strong, I believe always. The message is always the same – we will do everything to win this title.”
On paper United certainly have the easier run-in, but it is getting to that stage of the season where strange results crop up as the various sides battle for either European football or survival.
Indeed, United’s next two fixtures are against two sides battling the drop. The Old Trafford outfit host QPR on Sunday and travel to Wigan on April 11, with both the Rs and the Latics deep in trouble there is the potential for an upset – and both are capable of taking points from the top sides, as QPR demonstrated with their win over Arsenal and Wigan with their recent win over Liverpool.
United then host Aston Villa, who are in danger of being dragged into the relegation battle, and Everton – a side who have managed to upset Sir Alex Ferguson’s men in the past, and a team who thrive on the big occasion against the best in the league.
The Manchester derby then takes place at the Etihad Stadium in April 30, in what will be a must-win encounter if City are still involved in the hunt for the title.
United’s final two games see them host Swansea before a trip to Sunderland on the final day of the campaign, with neither the Swans or the Black Cats in danger of relegation or in a position to challenge for European football.
City’s run in sees them travel to Arsenal this weekend, and the Gunners are also in desperate need of the points as they continue their battle for a top four finish.
Mancini’s side then host West Brom and face trips to Norwich and Wolves before they host their title rivals. City travel to Newcastle in the penultimate game of the season before they host QPR on the final day, in what could be a huge fixture for both teams as the west London outfit may need to get a result to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
United are certainly in the driving seat, but a former star may come back to haunt them. Carlos Tevez has now found a path back into the City first-team and if the Argentine striker can find the kind of form he displayed last season after a spell in the wilderness, or the golf-courses in Argentina if widespread reports are to be believed, the Etihad Stadium outfit could yet come out on top, but they are relying on a United slip-up.
The Old Trafford side are 1/6 to beat QPR this weekend, a win for the Hoops is 12/1 and the draw is 5/1.
Manchester City are 13/8 to secure a win at the Emirates on Sunday against an Arsenal side who are unbeaten at home since January 22, when United sealed a 2-1 win in north London. The hosts are 11/8 to take all three points and the draw can be backed at 11/5.
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