Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are out to make history and they could very well end the season on a very high note. As it were, they are on course to win a quadruple, something that will make them the first team in England to win all four competitions they have taken part in during give season.
Manchester United have previously achieved the treble during the 1999 season whilst Liverpool recently achieved the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup in 2001.
For City, the next two months will form a critical part of their season and how they approach it will break or make their campaign. From the looks of things, they have what it takes to emerge victorious after winning 18 from a possible 20 in their last outings. The loss happened away to Newcastle whilst the other match was a draw in the finals of the League Cup with Chelsea, which they eventually won on penalties.
They have a possible 15 fixtures to the end of their season with plenty to play for in the FA Cup, the Champions League, and the Premier League. Will they defy history?
Premier League
The Citizens are eight wins shy of another domestic league triumph, though they are two points behind Liverpool with a game in hand. If they win all of their remaining matches then they will be home and dry but they have a number of tricky fixtures to deal with. Their biggest challenge will come in the derby fixture away to Old Trafford, though they can take heart in the fact they have dominated this fixture in the recent past.
Furthermore, they have an expansive squad that is not out of experienced players capable of performing under pressure. The form of Raheem Sterling and Bernado Silva has been a fresh of breath air to this squad and it will be interesting to see their run in under pressure from Liverpool.
FA Cup
The FA Cup is their most immediate priority and they have had to fight very hard to be in contention at the stage. Their dramatic comeback against Swansea is the most notable in their journey to this level. They will be facing Brighton and Hove Albion where a win will set a date between themselves and either of Watford or Wolves in the Final.
Champions League
Abu Dhabi’s hierarchy are most desperate to win the Champions League and they will be looking to Guardiola to help them achieve this. They will have to face Tottenham three times in a period of 11 days and this will test their resolve for silverware to the limit. If they win against Spurs they will have set a date with either Ajax or Juventus in the Champions League semi-final. It is worth noting that they have never gone beyond the semi-final stage in this competition. A win past this stage will be more than achievement Guardiola who has turned the fortunes of this club for the better.