Manchester City has a trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday that has more potential to be perilous than most people might realize. Palace took the reverse fixture earlier this season and now the Eagles have their eyes on a rare double over the Citizens, having last accomplished the feat way back in 1972-73.

Having this game sandwiched in between both legs of City’s UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie with Tottenham Hotspur certainly works in the London club’s favor. Let’s take a look at the fitness situation for both teams, starting with the visitors.

[Read more…]

Manchester City stayed in London, one of the biggest and best party cities in the entire world, between Saturday’s FA Cup semifinal win over Brighton and tomorrow night’s Champions League quarterfinal clash at Tottenham Hotspur.

They didn’t stay in the England capital city for the night life. The decision was made in regards to commuting, not carousing, as Pep has placed a total ban on alcohol consumption for his team during the run in. Guardiola has made it known that although he thinks the odds of achieving a quadruple are “almost impossible,” his side will try and staying sober is part of the that initiative.

[Read more…]

Pep Guardiola has definitely had enough questions about the quadruple chances for Manchester City this season. You can see that feeling reflected in what he had to say following his side’s 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup semifinals today.

It was a very grinder, gritty kind of victory and it featured a fresh new injury concern, as full back Kyle Walker was subbed off at half time. Meanwhile striker Sergio Aguero, who was thought to be a doubt at worst, and probable at best entering this contest, missed out entirely as has not trained in a week. It’s clear now that Aguero’s fitness issue is more serious than previously thought.

[Read more…]

Manchester City are two victories away from claiming the 138th ever FA Cup title, and the next step is a semi-final clash versus Brighton & Hove Albion Saturday evening at the national stadium. Who will City boss Pep Guardiola select in his first team?

Well, he may have some selection issues in the back to deal with, due to the questions surrounding the availabilities of Aleksandr Zinchenko, Fabian Delph and Benjamin Mendy. Also, it remains to be seen whether striker Sergio Aguero will be fit in time for this clash.

[Read more…]

Manchester City can take another step closer towards their quad goals on Saturday when they face Brighton & Hove Albion at Wembley Stadium in the FA Cup semifinal round.

The Citizens already have one trophy in hand, the EFL Cup, and just two more wins in the world’s oldest organized football/soccer/futbol competition gets them their second piece of silverware this season, with their chances of grabbing the other two (Premier League, Champions League) still very much realistic.

[Read more…]

Manchester City will host Cardiff City FC tomorrow night in a match that looks to be about as lopsided as possible on paper. That won’t surprise anyone, but the numbers and stats of the all time series might. City have won 22 meetings, while Cardiff have taken nine; to go along with 20 draws.

Recent history has been even more balanced with three City Ws, Cardiff winning two to go along with one draw. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola knows that there is no room for error in the Premier League title race, as Liverpool are surging right now.
[Read more…]

Poor Cardiff City! They had a win over Chelsea, then a draw with Chelsea taken away from them by the officials yesterday, and that result inflicted massive damage on their chances of staying up in the Premier League for next season.

And now what’s next for them? The hardest date, at least on paper, of the entire schedule- a trip reigning champion and quadruple contending Manchester City. As you can expect, the prognosticators expect to this be a one-sided affair. let’s take a look at the fitness situation for both sides, starting with the visitors.

[Read more…]

Manchester City heads to Fulham FC on the weekend for a Premier League fixture between the second place side and the second from bottom. City are two points behind top of the table Liverpool entering this one, but they do have a game in hand on the Reds.

The Craven Cottagers, sitting in the penultimate spot, are certainly doomed for relegation. Given that backdrop, this seems certain to be a one-sided affair. Let’s run through the FYIs in our match preview.

[Read more…]