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After becoming the first Premier League side to register 100 points last season, many fans and pundits thought that Manchester City may take a step back this season. Unfortunately for rival fans, the Citizens have been in even better form this season.
Having already won the Carabao Cup, they are still in with a chance of winning the unprecedented quadruple. As things stand, they are currently favored in each of the competitions they remain in.
Possessing one of the best European squads in recent memory, City are stacked all over the park. They’ve got Aguero and Jesus banging in the goals up front, comfortably supported on the wing by Sterling and Sane.
You could argue this isn't even the strength of the team. In David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Kevin de Bruyne, and Fernandinho they have 4 of the best midfielders in world football. Aymeric Laporte and Kyle Walker have emerged as stalwarts along the back line, whilst John Stones and Oleksandr Zinchenko have come on leaps and bounds this season.
In Pep Guardiola, they've also got arguably the best manager in world football, who is well equipped to lead the charge this season. But do they have a realistic shot at the quadruple? Let’s analyze their chances in each competition.
Carabao Cup
After taking out the Carabao Cup in February, we know that City won’t go trophyless this season. They had a relatively smooth run to the title, only facing Chelsea out of the fellow top 6 sides.
You could argue they were fortunate drawing Burton in the Semi-Finals, but you can only play who’s in front of you. This marks back-to-back Carabao Cup wins for the Citizens, as well as 4 wins since 2013-14.
Premier League
Arguably the most important of the titles up for grabs, City currently sit 2nd in the Premier League. They’ve racked up an impressive 74 points from 30 games, yet still find themselves 2 points behind Liverpool.
Admittedly, they do have a game in hand and control their own destiny the rest of the way. Their schedule is relatively kind the rest of the way, facing only Tottenham and Manchester United out of the top 6.
Contests against Fulham and Cardiff straight after the international break look like easy wins, however, tough away days against Crystal Palace and Burnley also loom large. City will also be keeping a close eye on rival Liverpool, who also face two of the top 6 in Spurs and Chelsea.
If City can win out, the Premier League title is theirs. Even if they drop a few points the rest of the way, we're not sure this Liverpool side has what it takes for a perfect run either.
FA Cup
Of the remaining 3 titles, this is the one City are the most likely to win. They’ve had a relatively comfortable run to the Semi-Finals and all of the other top 6 sides are out.
Only Brighton, Watford, and Wolves remain in the competition as potential opponents. Whilst these are 3 decent mid-table Premier League sides, City has comfortably beaten all of them this season.
With only 1 FA Cup game before the end of the Premier League season, I also expect Pep Guardiola to take this competition very seriously. Expect a full-strength City side in the Semi against Brighton, which should be strong enough to advance to the Final.
Ultimately, it’s hard to see past City doing at least the domestic cup double this season. They have too much quality, depth, and coaching ability compared to their opponents and will bring the FA Cup back to Manchester.
Champions League
Perhaps the hardest of the 3 competitions to win, City currently loom as the Champions League favourites. They enter the Quarter-Finals in excellent form, having beaten Schalke 7-0 in the second leg of their Round of 16 fixture.
Their Quarter-Final draw was also a decent one, drawing fellow Premier League side Spurs. Whilst Ajax or Porto probably would’ve been easier, they’ve avoided some of the real big-hitters for now.
As always, Messi and Ronaldo loom as their biggest potential threats. Barcelona have been in very strong form this season and appear comfortable favorites against Man United in the Quarter Finals. Juventus also enter the Quarter-Finals after an epic 2nd leg against Athletico Madrid, in which Ronaldo managed a game-winning hattrick.
Whilst the competition will definitely be tough against Europe’s elite, City certainly has what it takes to win the Champions League. Firmly alive in all of their competitions, don’t be surprised if Manchester City make history with the Quadruple this season.
