Busy October Awaits the Champions

It’s a new season with a new look, but it has been nothing unusual for Manchester City as they set the foundations for four in a row. Pep Guardiola’s men raced to the top of the league on matchday one and haven’t looked back since, warming up in August before gathering pace in September. Fans hope the Etihad racer will pull clear of the chasing pack in October, but the champions face a packed schedule.

October sees Man City play five Premier League and Champions League games. They open with a trip to Leipzig on match day two of their Champions League defence and close the month by hosting United in the first Manchester derby of the season. Between those two mammoth tasks, City visited last season’s EPL runners-up at the Emirates, host a spirited Brighton side and travelled to Bern, Switzerland.

How many wins will Manchester City achieve? The top soccer betting apps let you decide. From the best bookies in Canada to the top MLS sports betting apps, the English Premier is the main event, and Man City is the star attraction. The club’s target is a perfect 15 points, which will send them clear domestically and on the continent, tightening its grip on English and European soccer. 

Perfection from City

Man City is undoubtedly talented enough to enjoy a clean sweep of victories. They were nothing short of perfect in the opening six games of the Premier League season and enjoyed a winning bow on their return to Champions League group games. 

Following a routine 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium, City were top of the league with six games played. The champions scored 16 goals and conceded just three, making them the division’s second-highest scorers behind Brighton’s 18 with the best defence. Yet fans know there’s more to come from a team-building momentum with every win.

The European champions opened their defense in style, beating Group G rivals Red Star Belgrade 3-1 thanks to goals from Rodri and a Julian Alvarez double. Everyone connected to the winning camp that evening knows there are bigger and tougher challenges in this competition if they’re to make it two in a row. But the team deserves credit for blasting past a potentially dangerous opponent in Belgrade, who will already be looking at a third-place finish in Group G as a good result.

Keep reading as we analyze Man City’s October fixtures.

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RB Leipzig v Man City

Match day two of the Champions League group stages and Man City head to Germany to face Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig. It promises to be a thrilling occasion, with both teams aiming for the win needed to take control of the pool. Victory on the road would put the champions in control of the group at this early stage.

RB Leipzig won their first group game and sprinted to the summit. The Germans will, undoubtedly, be Man City’s main danger for top spot in the pool. The pair have met four times, with Man City on two wins, one draw, and a victory for Leipzig. The most recent clash produced a stunning 7-0 win for the Premier League champions.

Arsenal v Man City

The Cityzens return to domestic action and endure their second road trip of the week, returning from Germany before preparing for an overnight stay in London. They head south to meet last season’s runners-up, Arsenal, who aim to go one better than the previous campaign, with Mikel Arteta’s men expected to push hard for the title.

The Gunners have started well and went unbeaten in their opening six games. They enter October on solid foundations and know winning over the champions and favorites would make things interesting. Victory in north London would show Arsenal have learned the harsh lessons of last season’s near-miss.

Man City v Brighton

Finally, a game at the Etihad as Man City prepares for their one home game of the month. They face a Premier League fixture against Brighton, and following a tricky start to the month and two away games, this could be a potential banana skin. Playing Brighton isn’t the guaranteed three points it once was, and the Seasiders will come to win. The visitors mean business following a strong start.

Brighton won five and lost one of their first six games, with the 15 points collected ensuring they kept pace with the early leaders. Brighton showed what they are made of when hammering Man Utd 3-1 at Old Trafford, and they’d love to do an away win double over the Manchester teams. City must use home advantage to burst their bubble. This game will provide another test for the Man City squad as the big games keep coming. Do the champions have what it takes to keep winning?

Young Boys v Man City

Man City is back on the road as they travel to Bern, Switzerland, for their second Champions League group game of the month. An away win is likely with Man City the favorites, but the Swiss are no soft touch, especially on their patch when backed by the support. Young Boys have a chance to make a name for themselves here and will raise their game in the hope of landing a famous victory over the European champions.

Young Boys enjoy home comforts, but playing several away games in a month is nothing new to English and European soccer rulers. This tie is the debut meeting of Man City and Young Boys, but which team will grab the three points? The away win is the favorite with sportsbooks and most Champions League followers.

Man Utd v Man City

A challenging month ends with another away game, but they’re across the city for the Manchester derby this time. It’s the opening derby of the season and a chance for City to end October on a high. 

Beating the Red Devils at the Theatre of Dreams and damaging their rival’s chances of a top-four finish is too good to miss. By the end of this game, we’ll have a better idea of what’s expected from Man City this season and if they can defend their Premier League and Champions League crowns.