Pep Guardiola’s confusing Man City side host Ipswich town on Sunday as they seek to right the wrongs from their frustrating 2-2 draw with Brentford in their previous Premier League fixture.
By Alex Roberts
City looked well on their way to a fourth consecutive win against Brentford, 2-1 up going into added time. As has happened a few too many times this season, they let it slip, and Christian Norgaard snatched a point from the jaws of defeat.
It’s a similar kind of story for Ipswich, although a little more dire. Two fantastic results against Chelsea and Fulham saw them edge towards potentially leaving the relegation zone, but a 2-0 defeat to Brighton on Thursday undid all their good work.
City’s defensive frailties
Both of Brentford’s goals in the 2-2 draw were preventable. Missed interceptions from both Joško Gvardiol and Nathan Aké ensured the ball ended up right on Yoane Wissa’s toe, allowing him to slot past Stefan Ortega from close range.
Ortega has to take responsibility for the second one. Norgaard’s header was only slightly to his left, he got hands to it but was unable to prevent it from crossing the line, leading Guardiola to berate him in front of all the TV cameras after the game.
Ipswich don’t have Wissa and Bryan Mbuemo up top, but a certain former Man City academy graduate could certainly do some damage.
Liam Delap wants revenge
Speak of the devil, Delap, the lad City sold to Ipswich in the summer, has proven to be a shrewd piece of business for the Tractor boys. A starring role in the 2-0 win over Chelsea prove he can do it against the big boys.
He’s far and away their top goal scorer sitting on eight from his 20 Premier League games, four above Sammie Szmodics in second, an impressive tally for any side contending with relegation.
City won the reverse fixture 4-1, but that was before everything went down. There is a nervousness within the current champions now, something Delap could take advantage of.
Nine-and-a-half-years is a very long time Erling
City confirmed the big Norwegian has committed his long, long-term future to the club on Friday, tying him down for the best part of a decade. It seems optimistic, considering all the things that are happening in the background.
The 115 charges cast a shadow over the Etihad, somehow bigger than the one Haaland does. Does he know something we don’t?! Will the current champions be completely absolved of their sins!? Did they even exist in the first place!?
No one knows for sure, but one thing is certain, Haaland will want to celebrate his comically long contract with a bang. Expect goals from the robotic forward.
Spending their way out of trouble
Coping mechanisms come in many forms. Some make jokes, others turn to the bottle. Ipswich, it seems, have decided spending is their best option as they continue the fight for Premier League survival.
Jaden Philogene ripped it up in the Championship last season, earning a Puskás nomination for his ridiculous goal against Rotherham. Ipswich were interested in the summer, but the winger decided to return to Aston Villa instead.
Chances at Villa were sporadic at best, and Ipswich have finally signed their £20million man. The game against City may come too soon for the youngster, but he could certainly be an asset.
Prediction
City have had more shock defeats in the last six months than they had in the previous six years. That been said, they have too much for Ipswich. We’re going to go with 3-1 to Man City.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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