Evaluating Manchester City’s quadruple chances

Will Manuel Pellegrini create history in English football?

The EPL is often cited as the toughest football league in the world, and it rightly justifies that – the top 3 teams are separated by just 2 points. Even the relegation battle is all spiced up with the difference between the 10^th placed and the relegation zone being a mere 6 points.

There’s a lot of things money can do for you! Honestly, who would have believed a guy, a decade ago, if he had said that the two clubs from Manchester would interchange their league positions in a matter of time? Shocking as it may seem to be, that’s the current state right now. The noisy neighbours, Manchester City, once fighting to stay in the Premier League, are currently the top dog in English football.

Wenger’s Arsenal have stayed on top of the league table for months now, but still the odds of earning silverware are mostly in favour of the Citizens mainly because of the factors that every team can’t boast of – the immense quality in depth, the goal scoring department in red-hot form, and a mastermind genius in Manuel Pellegrini. Defensively, they have been a tad weak but the forwards and midfielders have stood up to almost nullify the opposition’s attack. Incidentally, they have even managed to cross the Group Stage hurdle in the UEFA Champions League – something they weren’t able to in the last couple of seasons.

Without any doubt, they are being touted as genuine contenders for the Quadruple this season, something even Sir Alex Ferguson couldn’t achieve during his tenure with Manchester United. The best ever result for The Red Devils in a season has been the Treble in 1999, which is also the best in the history of English Football. Does Pellegrini and The Sky Blues have it in them to create history? Let’s evaluate their chances on a tournament basis.

The Capital One Cup

I am BACK!

The Citizens have already booked a ticket to Wembley for this March after demolishing The Hammers 9-0 on aggregate in the semi-final stage. The other side of the semi-final draw has a close battle on cards between the Red Devils and The Black Cats. Sunderland currently lead 2-1 on aggregate, but expect United to step up a gear for the 2^nd leg and reach the Final of the Capital One Cup. With the Manchester Derby as the Final, it’s natural to expect fireworks on March 2^nd, but with the current state of affairs at the Red side of Manchester, this game could turn out to be another embarrassment for Moyes’ first season with United.

Chances: 9.75/10

The Premier League

EPL – Well, let’s just keep it in Manchester again

22 games into the season, Man City sit at 2^nd, sandwiched between Arsenal and Chelsea. Arsenal are currently being tipped to be crowned the Champions of England after having spent more than 8 seasons without any silverware. The splendid signing of Mesut Özil from Real Madrid has rejuvenated Arsenal’s squad and they finally look to end the trophyless run. But with Man City around, that’s not going to be easy. The home form of the Citizens has been excellent – perfect in fact, they’ve won all their EPL games at home. The title race looks all set to go till the final minute of the last matchday, with Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea fighting out for it.

Chances: 8.25/10

The FA Cup

The beginning of the assault against Blackburn Rovers

The second-most prestigious competition in the English Football, and the oldest football knockout-competition in the world, this is a tournament where the draws really matter. City entered the tournament in the 3^rd round due to their 2^nd place finish in the EPL last season. They experienced a minor hiccup when they were held on for a draw by Blackburn Rovers at the Ewood Park, but the City came back roaring in the Replay and decimated them 5-0 at The Etihad to progress to the Round of 32. They face Watford on Jan 25, which should be a stroll in the park for The Sky Blues. It is a really tough job to estimate how far they’ll go in the tournament, as everything depends on the draws and the location where they’ll be playing the next games. But as the saying goes, “Fortune favours the brave”. Expect the draws to favour Man City. Their path till the Semi-Finals looks safe. The question is: Do they have it in them to play three games a week in April/May? A tough one to answer.

Chances: 7.75/10

UEFA Champions League

Manchester City FC, from England – and they are going to face FC Barcelona, from Spain

The elite competition in all of European football – a tournament where the Champion of Champions are crowned. Manchester City, after being eliminated from the Group Stages for the last two seasons – partly because of being drawn into the Group of Death, have finally entered the knockout stages of the tournament. Their first task itself is humongous – facing Lionel Messi and the Spanish Champions Barcelona. City will definitely be high on confidence, after defeating Bayern Munich in their own backyard on the last matchday of the Group Stages. But the lack of experience for The Sky Blues in the competition coupled with Barca’s domination of European football over the last few years could possibly herald the end of their campaign. And even if an upset happens, the next set of possible opponents in the Road to Lisbon in no particular order could be Real Madrid (9 time champions), Bayern Munich (5 time champions) and PSG/Dortmund. Also, with the schedule tightening up as the domestic engagements increase, this may not be the year for City on the European front.

Chances: 4.25/10

Final Verdict:

A Domestic Double is well on the cards for The Citizens. A Domestic Treble – a good possibility. Quadruple – Unlikely.

But who doesn’t like history being made in front of their eyes?