With the transfer window closing and four Premier League matches to be played, the month of October could be a crucial one for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.
The Citizens are still looking to make additions to their backline – with Ruben Dias the latest to be strongly linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium – as they look to close the gap and compete with Liverpool for the 2020/21 Premier League title.
Manchester City are now in talks with Benfica to sign Rubén Dias including Otamendi offered as part of the deal [total value around €55m]. Same bid made to Sevilla for Koundé [and refused 5 days ago] who’s the other main target as CB after Koulibaly deal stalling. ? #MCFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 25, 2020
Guardiola’s side have arguably lacked defensive options in recent memory due to the departure of legend Vincent Kompany and perhaps suffered last season because they failed to replace him. Not acting upon something as soon as possible can be disastrous, as bettors will know when do not use the right online casinos UK.
Indeed, with the little time left in the window, if Manchester City can address that problem, they will likely fancy their chances of closing the gulf in quality that appeared between them and the Reds last year.
In addition to making the right recruits next month, though, Guardiola’s side will have a number of matches that they need to play in the Premier League to ensure that they remain in touching distance of their main title rivals.
Of course, the Etihad Stadium outfit kicked things off a little later than most as they were granted an extra week of preparation following their efforts in the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League.
However, things have already started smoothly for them and they will need to continue in a month that could prove to be rather testing.
The first match in October will see Manchester City travel to Elland Road and take on a Leeds United side who have already shown that they will not fear anyone in their way. Whilst the match might be special because of the respect between Guardiola and Marcelo Bielsa, the newly-promoted side will want to put on a similar show to the one they produced at Anfield and make things extremely tough.
Following that match and the international break, the Citizens will host in-form Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in a match that could be extremely close. The Gunners have been in excellent form since former City assistant manager, Mikel Arteta, took over and with the pair knowing each other inside out, it would not be surprising to see a rather entertaining but edgy affair on show. There could also be as much as excitement, though, as bettors get from using high roller casinos.
Manchester City will then go on the road for their next two matches as they will face West Ham United and Sheffield United in games that they will be heavily favoured to win. However, Guardiola will know all about complacency and how his squad can ill-afford to see it creep in, as the two aforementioned clubs have the ability to produce a surprise result even if things are not going there way at the moment.
