December 3rd 2024.
It's been a bumpy road for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City this season, as they find themselves falling behind in the race for the Premier League title. Despite still being in the top three, the dynamic of the competition has shifted after a dramatic weekend of matches.
Liverpool's victory against City on Sunday was no surprise, as the Reds continue their impressive run at the top while Guardiola's team struggles to find their footing. With a seven-game winless streak, they now sit 11 points behind their rivals, a gap that only three teams in Premier League history have managed to overcome and take the title.
Of course, there are always pundits who argue that it's foolish to write off a team like City, who have been champions six out of the last seven years. However, it's hard to ignore the issues they're facing all over the pitch. Star striker Erling Haaland's early-season scoring rampage has slowed down, the midfield is struggling without Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, and key players like Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva are showing signs of age. Even superstar Kevin De Bruyne hasn't quite hit his peak yet, while promising young players like Jack Grealish and Phil Foden seem to be underperforming.
And let's not forget the defensive woes, with Josko Gvardiol's performance dropping below his usual high standards. However, there may be a glimmer of hope as they prepare to face Nottingham Forest at home. The surprise package of the season, Forest has struggled in recent matches, including a tough win against Ipswich and conceding three goals each in losses to Newcastle and Arsenal. With a bit of luck, City could come out on top with a nervy 2-1 win, with odds of 17/2 at bet365.
For those looking for even better odds, Forest +2 goals in the handicap markets at outlets like BoyleSports (4/5) may be the way to go. In other matches, Liverpool is also favored to win against Newcastle with the same odds, while second-place Arsenal can widen the gap between them and the top with a win against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.
Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has a lot on his mind after his team's disappointing loss to Arsenal. The Gunners are looking strong as they prepare to face Ruben Amorim's side, who were lucky to come out on top in a 4-0 rout against Everton. With five goals in their last two matches against Sporting Lisbon and West Ham, Arsenal is the clear favorite to win by more than one goal, with odds of 6/5 at Ladbrokes and Coral.
Chelsea has taken over City's spot as the third contender for the title, although they may not be as strong as the other two teams. They have a chance to stay in the race with a win against bottom club Southampton, with odds of 12/5 at Paddy Power and Betfair for a victory of more than two goals.
On the other hand, Aston Villa has struggled in their last eight matches, with the physical and emotional toll of playing big Champions League games against powerhouses like Bayern Munich and Juventus taking a toll on the team. They showed signs of exhaustion in their 3-0 loss to Chelsea, but they may find solace against a struggling Brentford side that has only managed to earn one point out of 18 on the road. With odds of 4/5 at William Hill, bet365, and Betfair for a Villa win, it seems like the most likely outcome.
Lastly, both Everton and Wolves seem to be facing a tough season ahead, and their midweek match at Goodison Park is expected to have under 2.5 goals, with odds of 22/25 at BetMGM. In other news, Arne Slot jokingly commented on City's potential relegation after Mohamed Salah's contract renewal, while Emiliano Martinez's injury update is highly anticipated before Aston Villa's match against Brentford. Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou also took a subtle dig at rivals like Arsenal and other Premier League teams.
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