‘It’s going to be’… Man City star Rodri now makes assured prediction about the Premier League title race
The Premier League title race this year is shaping up to be one of the closest and most entertaining ones in years – and Manchester City star Rodri feels pretty sure one thing is going to happen.
City currently sit second in the table and two points behind Liverpool.
On Saturday, City defeated Everton without playing particularly well, with Erling Haaland scoring a brace at the Etihad for his first goals since returning from injury.
The introduction of Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne especially were key.
The win temporarily sent City to the top of the table, but Liverpool beating Burnley saw the Reds climb back to the summit.
Arsenal also enjoyed a thumping win at the weekend and things are extremely tight – and Rodri reckons the title race could genuinely go down to the wire…
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Rodri predicts the Premier League title race could go down to the final day
Manchester City v Everton FC – Premier League
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Currently, just two points are separating the top three, with Liverpool having a superior goal difference by just one.
City, of course, have a game in hand coming up against Brentford which will give Pep Guardiola‘s side the chance to go back top, which will deal a psychological blow to the others.
City fans will then hope the team can keep things going and blow Liverpool and Arsenal away.
But Rodri – branded ‘incredible’ by Pep Guardiola last week – does not foresee City running away with it, as was the case last season after they leapfrogged Arsenal.
He told the Mirror: “Since I arrived, every year has been more tough, to be honest. Now I think to be fair we have two more contenders for the title, even three if you want to add Villa.
“It’s even harder when you have more opponents. It’s going to be until the end. I don’t expect it’s going to be in one month, I think it’s going to be until the last game.”
This could be City’s hardest title race yet
This could well be Rodri just seeking to play some mind games, but the Spaniard may also genuinely feel as though the competition is much stronger this season.
Certainly, up until this point, both Liverpool and Arsenal have been excellent and Pep Guardiola has a real job on his hands to win another title.
No club has ever won four Premier Leagues in a row, and the Spaniard is going to have to do something very special if he is to achieve that. It is shaping up to be City’s hardest title race since the two with Liverpool in 2020/21 and 2018/19.
City just need to make sure they keep the momentum going.
Key players have returned now, and fans will feel confident that the team will be right up there at the end – it’s just whether Liverpool and Arsenal will both also be there.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was asked about comments Sean Dyche made relating to the charges against the two clubs
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola said he had nothing to say in response to Sean Dyche raising questions about Manchester City.
Everton manager Dyche admitted he knew little of the Premier League charges against City but questioned why there appeared to be different rules for different clubs given the Toffees have been punished sooner than City despite being charged after them. Guardiola has previously asked for City’s verdict to be sped up but there has been an acceptance that the severity and complexity of the case means more time is needed to address the charges.
As Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said last month: “If any club, the current champions or otherwise, had been found in breach of the spending rules for 2023 they would be in exactly the same position as Everton or Nottingham Forest but the volume and character of the charges laid before Man City – which I obviously cannot talk about at all – are being heard in a completely different environment. There is a date set for that proceeding; I can’t tell you when that is but it is progressing.”
Guardiola was asked about Dyche’s comments ahead of the teams facing off at the Etihad on Saturday, but was not interested in commenting while he continues to wait for the verdict on City. “I know my opinion about that. I have spoken many times,” he said. “I don’t have anything else to add. We wait.”
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