-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will hope his side will bounce back from the 2-2 Brentford draw when they face Ipswich Town at Portman Road, with an eye on some huge fixtures in the next two weeks.
City’s turnaround in form under Guardiola was beginning to feel more tangible before late goals saw two dropped points at Brentford. It reiterated the defensive issues that have seen them concede 29 goals in their last 16 fixtures, which has yielded just four wins.
After Sunday’s game comes an eye-catching across the Premier League and Champions League, beginning with a trip to PSG on Wednesday. Just three days later City host Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea at the Etihad (5.30pm).
READ MORE: Premier League make referee announcement after controversial Arsenal vs Man United decision
READ MORE: Pep Guardiola’s daughter Maria speaks out after Man City boss splits from wife
Then Club Brugge head to the Etihad on Wednesday, January 29 (8.00pm) for another key Champions League match-up before City head to North London to face Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal on Sunday, February 2 (16.30pm).
The top flight games see City come up against two of the current top five. Results in those fixtures could potentially determine whether City can establish a top four challenge, or even get back into the title race.
Two wins against two sides above them in the table would certainly close the gap and raise confidence, setting them up perfectly for the rest of the season. On the other hand, two losses could see fourth spot moving away in the horizon.
Guardiola’s men sit sixth with just three wins in their last 10 Premier League fixtures. They’re eight points off Arsenal in second and 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.
In Europe, the top eight automatically qualify for the round of 16 in the Champions League, while those between 9th and 24th enter a two-legged knockout play-off. City sit 22nd, meaning fixtures against PSG and Club Brugge are vital with the top eight all but out of reach. A run in the historic competition could potentially re-ignite their season.