Manchester City must improve their second half performances in away games to stay in the title race | OneFootball

With fewer than ten matches left in the 2025-26 campaign, Manchester City face an uphill battle to dethrone long-time leaders Arsenal at the summit of the Premier League. Pep’s men have a game in hand on the Gunners, and although a nine-point gap does not feel insurmountable, the Citizens are likely to require a perfect sequence of results to challenge Mikel Arteta’s high-flying side.

Unfortunately for Manchester City, five of their remaining nine games are away from home. Although only Chelsea and Arsenal possess a better record on the road, they haven’t always been convincing outside of the Etihad. Furthermore, a hectic schedule may also affect things. Although Manchester City’s Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid should alleviate the fixture congestion that Pep Guardiola’s side usually contends with.

Unlike previous seasons, the bookies have not priced up Pep’s side as the favourites to secure silverware in any of the competitions in which they are still active. They are the second favourites behind Arsenal for both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Mikel Arteta’s side are now clear favourites to win this season’s Premier League title.

One advantage of this lack of belief in City’s ability is that punters can get a little more value when backing them this season. Pep Guardiola is a serial winner who has won 18 trophies since arriving at Manchester City. Although most betting sites are offering around various odds for Manchester City to win the Premier League, football sportsbooks UK may be able to find bigger odds on City to secure an unlikely Premier League triumph. 

Issues on the Road.

It should be noted that City’s overall record on their travels is very respectable. Manchester City have won seven matches, drawn four and lost four away from home this season. Manchester City’s away record is more than serviceable. The issue has been that Pep Guardiola’s side has suffered in the second half of matches as their performances have fluctuated from the first half.

Manchester have only conceded two first-half goals away from the Etihad all season, one of which came in the second minute of stoppage time at Craven Cottage. Yet, they have not been able to replicate that level of sturdiness after the break.

Manchester City have

kept clean sheets at Elland Road and the Stadium of Light in 2026, yet they squandered a two-goal lead to a struggling Spurs side at the beginning of February, which lost them valuable ground in the title race. Both of Manchester United’s goals came after the 65th minute, and Fulham, Newcastle and Brighton have also scored at least twice after the break. In September 2025, they held on to the lead until the 93rd minute at the Emirates, a moment that had a substantial impact on the title race.

In October, Pep insisted he wasn’t concerned about his side’s propensity to concede late goals after their second-half collapse against Monaco. However it has been a persistent issue throughout this season as Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham illustrated.

This is in stark contrast to last season, when the club were breached just once in their last six away encounters. Although they shipped 21 away goals in total, five more than their current total, they conceded 2+ second-half goals on just three occasions, one of which came on February 2nd in North London.

How Does This Compare to Arsenal?

Arsenal have been praised for their defensive displays this season. Although they’ve been predominantly assured on their travels this season, they have had a few moments of uncertainty, including squandering a two-goal advantage at Molineux in mid-February.

Their overall control in the second half of games has enabled them to remain top of the pile. They’ve conceded just eight goals after the break, keeping seven clean sheets on their travels. At the beginning of March, they opened the scoring after just nine minutes and held on desperately to collect all three points at the AMEX Stadium.

Although Mikel Arteta’s side are yet to visit Selhurst Park or The London Stadium, Arsenal are undefeated when visiting sides outside of the current top six. Manchester City have slipped up against both Newcastle and Brighton. It’s these fine margins that are likely to make the difference come the end of the season.

Rodriand Guehi are the Difference Makers

Manchester City’s defensive tactics have shifted throughout the season, with Pep looking to find the right balance. Their performances at the back noticeably improved once Rodri returned from his hamstring injury. They have lost just two of the 13 games in which the Spaniard has started this season. The arrival of Marc Guehi has also improved their defensive solidity. Manchester City were unbeaten with the former Palace defender in the XI before their two defeats against Real Madrid in the Champions League. So Rodri’s improvement and the arrival of Guehi, coupled with Abdukodir Khusanov’s rise does suggest that Manchester City have a strong defensive foundation. 

Next season, Manchester City need to show more control in the second half of games, yet if they can manage the fitness of Rodri and Guehi, their defensive record should improve considerably, particularly on their travels. Manchester City face an uphill battle to overhaul Arsenal in this season’s title race. However, if City improve their second half performances it may aid them in their bid to catch Mikel Arteta’s side.