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Manchester City’s Unexpected Premier League Woes
As formidable as Manchester City has been, their recent stumbles have left fans and pundits questioning if this season will be a true test of their resilience.
Manchester City Faces Unprecedented Challenge in Premier League
When Gabriel Martinelli’s shot deflected off Nathan Aké’s face on Sunday, Manchester City found themselves in an unfamiliar situation. With a 1-0 loss to Arsenal, they suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League, an extraordinary event in their recent history. The last time this occurred under Pep Guardiola was on Boxing Day in 2018 when they lost to Leicester City after a defeat to Crystal Palace. The only other instance was in December 2016 against Leicester following a loss to the eventual champions Chelsea.
A Rare Occurrence
Manchester City’s reputation is one of almost invincibility, as they rarely lose in the league. Throughout Guardiola’s seven full seasons with the club, they averaged just five league losses per season. When they clinched their first title under Pep in 2017-18, they lost only two games in total. Last season, they remained unbeaten until Matchday 14. However, in this season, they’ve already suffered two losses in just eight games.
Guardiola’s Perspective
Guardiola’s perspective on the situation is clear, stating, “We do not have to win the Premier League. No team has ever won four Premier Leagues in a row.” The question now arises: can they defy expectations and do it anyway?
Slow Start Not Unprecedented
Despite the recent double loss and their third-place position, Manchester City’s performance in 2023-24 isn’t their worst start to a season under Guardiola. A look at their points through eight games over the past eight seasons shows consistency.
- 2016-17: 19 points
- 2017-18: 22 points
- 2018-19: 20 points
- 2019-20: 16 points
- 2020-21: 15 points
- 2021-22: 17 points
- 2022-23: 20 points
- 2023-24: 18 points
On average, they’ve secured slightly more than 18 points per season, often translating to being among the best teams in the world. Their current performance, though concerning to some, may not be a cause for alarm.
Slow, but Not Unrecoverable
City’s slow start is unusual, but results don’t tell the full story. A better indicator of their performance lies in their expected-goal differential from non-penalty shots with both teams at even strength.
Tough Road Ahead
City’s next seven games pose a significant challenge, with fixtures against strong teams like Brighton, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, and others. This challenging schedule raises concerns about their performance in the coming weeks.
Changing Style
A significant concern is the shift in City’s playing style. They’ve moved away from the high-pressing style, which made them so dominant last season. “Direct speed” and PPDA (passes allowed in the attacking third) statistics demonstrate this shift. City’s current pressing game lags behind previous seasons, impacting their attacking prowess.
The Missing Trio
City’s performance is also affected by the absence of key players like Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, and Rodri. Their limited playing time this season poses challenges for the team.
The absence of De Bruyne, Grealish, and Rodri questions whether City’s deliberate playing style can be as effective without them. While City has performed well without De Bruyne in the past, their current approach appears to be more cautious and less aggressive.
Uncertain Future
City’s first eight games of the season suggest a potential challenging year. With aging stalwarts, key injuries, and departures, there are several factors contributing to the uncertainty surrounding the club’s future. City’s ability to adapt and overcome obstacles is well-documented. Whether they can maintain their current style or make another successful pivot remains to be seen. The upcoming schedule and the evolving landscape of the Premier League will likely reveal more about their prospects.
A Historical Perspective
If City loses their next match against Brighton, it will be their first three-game losing streak in all competitions since the 2017-18 season, when they set the record for the most points in a single Premier League season.
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Nottingham Forest vs Everton Prediction and Betting Tips | December 2nd 2023
In a clash marked by a storied rivalry, Nottingham Forest vs Everton gear up for a faceoff at the iconic City Ground, each seeking redemption after recent setbacks in the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest vs Everton at the City Ground in the Premier League on Saturday.
Both teams resumed their league campaigns following the international break with defeats last week. Nottingham lost 3-2 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion. Anthony Elanga had put them ahead in the third minute but Brighton produced a remarkable comeback scoring thrice between the 26th and 58th minute. Morgan Gibbs-White pulled one back for the hosts in the 76th minute. Everton lost 3-0 to Manchester United last time around, which saw their four-game unbeaten run in all competitions end. With that loss, they remained in 19th place in the league standings.
Nottingham Forest vs Everton Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have a long-standing rivalry and have crossed paths 130 times in all competitions, with their first meeting dating back to 1892.
- The two teams have contested these games closely, with the visitors having a narrow 55-47 lead in wins.
- 28 games have ended in draws.
- They met for the first time in the 21st century last season, playing draws in their two Premier League meetings.
- Nottingham Forest have just one win in their last nine league games, with that triumph coming against Aston Villa at home earlier this month.
- Everton have just one win in their last seven meetings against the hosts, failing to score in four games in that period.
- The hosts have lost three of their last four league outings, conceding three goals apiece in these defeats.
- Interestingly, they have lost just once at home in the Premier League this season.
- Interestingly, three of the visitors’ four wins in the Premier League this season have come in their travels.
Nottingham Forest vs Everton Prediction
The Tricky Trees suffered their first home defeat of the season last week and will look to bounce back to winning ways. They have suffered back-to-back 3-2 losses in their last two league outings and will look to work on their defensive prowess in this match.
Taiwo Awoniyi’s absence due to a groin injury remains a cause for concern while there are doubts over the availability of midfielder Ibrahim Sangare and defender Felipe.
The Toffees are unbeaten in their last three away games at Nottingham, keeping two clean sheets. They have won three of their last four away games in the Premier League, scoring seven goals while conceding five times, and will look to build on that form in this match.
Sean Dyche remains without the services of Bamidele Alli and Andre Gomes while Amadou Onana, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Beto face late fitness tests.
The hosts are unbeaten in eight of their last nine home games in the Premier League while the visitors have won five of their last seven away games across all competitions.
With that in mind and considering the current form of the two teams, we back them to play out a high-scoring draw.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Everton.
Nottingham Forest vs Everton Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Draw
Tip 2: Goals – Over/Under 2.5 Goals – Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least a goal to be scored in the second half – Yes
Tip 4: Anthony Elanga to score or assist any time – Yes
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AC Milan vs Frosinone Prediction and Betting Tips | 2nd December 2023
In a clash that promises both suspense and skill, AC Milan vs Frosinone at the San Siro, each team fueled by their recent triumphs and setbacks, setting the stage for an intriguing Serie A showdown.
AC Milan vs Frosinone at the San Siro on Saturday in Serie A.
AC Milan come into this game on the back of a 3-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. Goals from German attackers Marco Reus and Karim Adeyemi and a goal from English winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens secured the win for Borussia Dortmund. Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze scored the goal for AC Milan. Frosinone, on the other hand, beat Genoa 2-1 in their most recent league game. Goals from Argentine winger Matias Soule and centre-back Ilario Monterisi sealed the deal for Frosinone. Ukrainian attacker Ruslan Malinovskyi scored the goal for Genoa.
AC Milan vs Frosinone Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- In four head-to-head encounters between the two sides, AC Milan have won two games and drawn two.
- American winger Christian Pulisic has managed six goal contributions in 10 league starts for AC Milan this season.
- Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has managed two goal contributions in 13 league starts for AC Milan.
- Argentine winger Matias Soule has managed seven goal contributions in 11 league starts for Frosinone this season.
- Brazilian midfielder Reinier Jesus has managed three goal contributions in six league starts for Frosinone this season.
AC Milan vs Frosinone Prediction
AC Milan are currently 3rd in the league, and have won only one of their last five league games. They find themselves six points behind league leaders Inter Milan. It has been a season of inconsistency for the club, with their current form not doing manager Stefano Pioli any favours. The 37-year old Olivier Giroud continues to lead the line admirably, and has proven to be a surprisingly dependable goalkeeping option if needed as well. However, Giroud is at an age where dependency on him should be lessening, but in AC Milan’s case, it seems to have increased this season.
Frosinone, on the other hand, are 10th in the league, and have won two of their last five league games. Argentine winger Matias Soule has proven to be one of the best young players in the league so far, and parent club Juventus will be keeping a keen eye on his development. It has been suggested that Juventus could recall the 20-year old after an excellent start to his league campaign.
AC Milan need to get back to winning ways, and should emerge victorious here.
Prediction: AC Milan 2-0 Frosinone
AC Milan vs Frosinone Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result- AC Milan
Tip 2: Game to have over / under 2.5 goals- Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: AC Milan to keep a clean sheet- Yes
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