Manchester City entered the international break on the back of consecutive losses for the first time since 2018 and will be desperate to put things right.
The Blues’ 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates will have stung but the Treble winners are still just two points from top spot. Pep Guardiola will be boosted by the return of Rodri. The side lost all three matches he was banned for following his red card against Nottingham Forest.
City are not set to have it easy over their next batch of Premier League fixtures during a period that will once again test the mettle of this season’s squad. The champions will be confident of honing their winning mentality to overtake Arsenal, who also face a few tricky fixtures.
Brighton (H) – Saturday, October 21
Brighton also pose a tough test but travel to the Etihad on the back of four winless matches, one of which was a 6-1 thumping at the hands of Aston Villa. However, they regained composure to secure draws with Marseille and Liverpool to re-establish their confidence
The hosts should have enough to get the job done but never write off the Seagulls from swooping in and stealing the goods.
Manchester United (A) – Sunday, October 29
City may be going through a blue patch but their arch rivals are having a nightmare. Only a late comeback prevented a defeat to Brentford which would have seen United lose three in a row.
The champions will be eager to enact revenge after United’s controversial 2-1 victory at Old Trafford in January. A thumping could send their opponents back into the mire of form they were in pre-break.
AFC Bournemouth (H) – Saturday, November 4
Bournemouth are one of just two clubs not to have won a Premier League game this season. There seems to be a disconnect between Andoni Iraola, his players and the Cherries fans, and City will no doubt try to capitalise on this.
This will be a game where Erling Haaland spies the chance to build on his eight goals this season. City have won 17 of their 19 meetings with Bournemouth and have not lost a single meeting.
Chelsea (A) – Sunday, November 12
Chelsea are not the side they once were but must still be respected. They are starting to show signs of a team that are perhaps starting to click having registered three consecutive wins.
They will certainly not be challenging for the biggest honours this season but a number of Chelsea players have a point to prove. City should get the three points but a tough ride should be anticipated.
Liverpool (H) – Saturday, November 25
In recent seasons before last term, this has been one of two title-deciding clashes and City have had the upper hand. It is too early in the season to make a similar context judgement on this meeting, but Liverpool have largely impressed so far.
Being on home soil could see the hosts to the three points, City having always struggled at Anfield. This match, perhaps, will be more about seeing if Liverpool will challenge them for the crown this time or whether City once again will have too much.
Manchester United
Sheffield United (A) – Saturday, October 21
Man City (H) – Sunday, October 29
Fulham (A) – Saturday, November 4
Luton Town (H) – Saturday, November 11
Everton (A) – Sunday, November 26
Arsenal
Chelsea (A) – Saturday, October 21
Sheffield United (H) – Saturday, October 28
Newcastle United (A) – Saturday, November 4
Burnley (H) – Saturday, November 11
Brentford (A) – Saturday, November 25
Tottenham
Fulham (H) – Monday, October 23
Crystal Palace (A) – Friday, October 27
Chelsea (H) – Monday, November 6
Wolves (A) – Saturday, November 11
Aston Villa (H) – Sunday, November 26
Liverpool
Everton (H) – Saturday, October 21
Nottingham Forest (H) – Sunday, October 29
Luton Town (A) – Sunday, November 5
Brentford (H) – Sunday, November 12
Man City (A) – Saturday, November 25
Newcastle
Everton (H) – Saturday, October 21
Nottingham Forest (H) – Sunday, October 29
Luton Town (A) – Sunday, November 5
Brentford (H) – Sunday, November 12
Man City (A) – Saturday, November 25
Chelsea
Arsenal (H) – Saturday, October 21
Brentford (H) – Saturday, October 28
Tottenham (A) – Monday, November 6
Man City (H) – Sunday, November 12
Newcastle (A) – Saturday, November 25
