Manchester City simply have to return to winning ways today after their recent blip | OneFootball

Manchester City enter today’s Premier League fixture at the Etihad against Leeds United off the back of consecutive defeats to Newcastle United and Bayer Leverkusen. It is fair to say that City didn’t deserve to win either game based on their performances. Pep Guardiola’s side simply has to win today at the Etihad Stadium. For their own confidence and to keep up with Premier League leaders Arsenal, City simply must pick up three points against Daniel Farke’s side.

Pep Guardiola knows that Manchester City can not afford too many more slip-ups.

Manchester City currently sits third in the Premier League table after twelve matches. Arsenal are seven points clear of City, and Mikel Arteta’s side do look like one of the strongest teams in England and Europe based on their performances this season. Chelsea sits second a point in front of City entering this weekend’s Premier League fixtures. Chelsea and Arsenal meet this weekend at Stamford Bridge, so there could be an opportunity for City to make up ground on either side depending on the result of that blockbuster fixture.

Pep Guardiola knows that his team must return to winning ways beginning today against Leeds. The Manchester City manager is of the opinion that City’s rivals won’t drop many points across the remainder of this season. Speaking during his pre-game press conference yesterday, the City manager said: “We can’t lose games. That’s the truth. They (Arsenal) are so strong and winning games. They are so solid, and in the past, with Liverpool, they won’t drop many points.”

“We have to be there.”

City needs to beat Leeds to get back on track and for their own confidence.

In a way, Pep Guardiola has thrown down the gauntlet to his Manchester City squad. The past two performances from City have not been acceptable. Against Newcastle United, City gave up too many chances on the counter, and Newcastle eventually took advantage of this. Pep Guardiola heavily rotated his squad against Bayer Leverkusen, and City’s fringe players failed to perform against a well-organised Leverkusen side. Entering today’s match, City have to pick up three points. The Premier League table speaks for itself, and the City players need the confidence boost that a win will provide.

Consecutive defeats are bound to hit Manchester City’s confidence. That sounds ludicrous, but that is the reality of the situation. Today’s match at the Etihad is an opportunity for Pep Guardiola’s side to get back to winning ways. Leeds will be no pushover given the situation they find themselves in so early in the season. Daniel Farke’s side sit 18th in the Premier League table and will be desperate for points. But they are simply an obstacle that City must overcome at the Etihad.

Manchester City must beat Leeds United today at the Etihad Stadium. It isn’t a make-or-break stage of the season but Pep Guardiola’s side needs a win to begin build momentum after their recent stumble. Arsenal and Chelsea meet this weekend so there is an opportunity for City to gain ground on both teams. But more important than that, City need to restore confidence in their own ranks as back-to-back defeats will have dented City’s confidence after a bright start to the season.