Get the latest City team news, transfer stories, match updates and analysis delivered straight to your inbox – FREE
We have more newsletters
Get the latest City team news, move stories, fit updates and investigations delivered straight to your inbox, for FREE
We have more newsletters
Manchester City have been told they are still favourites to win the Premier League this season, despite being five points behind leaders Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola’s side have undergone a prolonged blip in the Premier League since the start of November. In seven matches, City have only won twice albeit they have faced Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa in this period.
Those effects have brought City out of the boiling pot and may simply drop out of the top four before returning to action on December 27. While the Blues made history at the Club World Cup, the top two will meet at Anfield in a war that could have big consequences for the race for the name.
READ MORE: Four City postponed on TV
READ MORE: Why City are allowed to wear the FIFA league badge as opposed to Everton
Whatever the outcome, Mark Lawrenson believes City are still the favourites to retain their name. He told Paddy Power: “For me, Arsenal are not favourites for the name. It would still be Manchester City.
“If you ask Jurgen Klopp or Mikel Arteta, they will tell you the same thing in private. Everyone is afraid of them, they haven’t had a smart run, but they will come back.
“John Stones is in the team and Kevin de Bruyne is training. Everyone in the league can win ten games at a time.
“Their games against Liverpool and Arsenal in this World Cup are going to be mega. They had an incident, but in many ways no one has won the championship 4 seasons in a row; it’s a bit psychological.
“Some seasons you have a lot of small injuries and players miss strange games, decisions go against you and the balance of the team doesn’t change. It’s the same with City, but if they win the Premier League 4 years in a row, it will be them.
The Puma home shirt features the traditional sky blue colour but has slightly darker blue detailed stripes across the front which take inspiration from the Etihad Stadium’s walkways. City moved to their new home from Maine Road in 2003 and the shirt honours that anniversary.
Prices start from £55