No.4 – Man City Sub-Performance
Man City have been winning in the Premier League but they have not been playing well. They have failed to score in the first half of their last three league games as they have felt the pressure. it is true they have found a way to win in those games but this Sunday will be more pressure than ever before.
For most of the season they have seemingly taken the lead in Premier League games after 5 minutes. That is the weekly joke among Liverpool fans of teams rolling over for them. But Leicester, Burnley and, to a degree, Man United have all shown how to stifle Guardiola’s side early. I hope that Chris Hougton has watched those tapes.
Then you also have to consider the Champions League games against Spurs. They blew the first leg and allowed Tottenham to take a one goal lead to the Etihad. There they conceded two away goals before VAR cruelly (beautifully) ruled out Raheem Sterling’s apparent winner.
The devastation was palpable. Has that loss spurred them on? Probably. But will it linger late in the game if it is tied or they are defending with only a one gaol advantage? I think it will.