Manchester City are all over the place and the knives are out for Pep Guardiola and his philosophy which is apparently flying over the head of most of the people and worrying, by the looks of it, some of his players. A run of 10 straight wins had turned it into a one-horse race but in a couple of months the scenario has changed on its head and City seems to be in serious trouble.
A star-studded line-up, top heavy, age on the higher side and a non-existent defence. Pep’s philosophy of keeping the ball and subsequently reducing the number of chances the opposition creates and thus winning has taken a huge hit. It is likely he has to adjust fast as the level of the teams and the flurry of matches can see them out of reach from the Top 2 in no time at all.
A patched up defence who are conceding at almost every shot they concede. Lording over possession but seldom doing anything useful with it and invariably conceding a couple of goals every game. Manchester City can’t win the title in this manner and if things don’t change quickly, might be fighting to keep their Top 4 status for too long.
They will be facing Watford at home and although it might sound as an easier prospect on paper, they cannot take it anything close to that. Ask Manchester United.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY XI VS WATFORD (4-1-4-1)
DEFENCE
Claudio Bravo has been extremely poor in the past couple of weeks and has failed to settle at all. He will be persisted with but Caballero will be itching to get out there. Bravo needs to step up, big time.
Bacary Sagna might line-up at right-back after having played centre back against the Foxes. John Stones is likely to continue and has to recover from his horror show while Otamendi will be making a comeback alongside him.
Gael Clichy might play at left-back.
