After losing four games in a row across all competitions for the first time under manager Pep Guardiola, Manchester City will endeavour to return to winning ways during a tricky fixture schedule leading up to Christmas.
Guardiola, who has signed a new two-year contract extension at the Etihad Stadium, stated after Man City's 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion prior to the international break that he is relishing the challenge of swiftly turning his side's fortunes around.
Back-to-back Premier League defeats, including a 2-1 loss at Bournemouth, have seen the reigning champions fall five points behind Liverpool at the top of the table after 11 matches.
Man City's dip in form has coincided with the club's injury crisis, but several senior stars have since used the well-timed international break to step up their recovery ahead of a potentially crucial stage in their season.
Indeed, the Citizens are now preparing for a run of eight fixtures - six in the Premier League and two in the Champions League - over the next five weeks, starting with Saturday's top-flight clash at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
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Man City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole that he is "pretty confident" the Citizens will come out on top at the Etihad, as he feels that "home comforts will kick in for City" against an "erratic" Spurs outfit, who have lost their last two league games.
"Spurs have got the tools to trouble City, but I think this would be very 'Spursy' to have the tools to trouble City and then not [deliver]," McInerney added. "I'm presuming that City will win this one. I think it's going to be a tough game, but I'm pretty confident."
Man City will then gear up for a Champions League home fixture with Feyenoord next Tuesday, before travelling to Anfield for a top-of-the-table Premier League showdown with Liverpool on December 1.
Fixtures continue to come thick and fast for the Citizens, who will welcome high-flying Nottingham Forest to the Etihad three days later, before heading to Selhurst Park for a clash with Crystal Palace on December 7.
Man City make the trip to Turin four days after that to square off with Italian giants Juventus in the Champions League, and then return to home soil for an eagerly-anticipated Manchester derby with Ruben Amorim's Manchester United in the Premier League, a week before travelling to Aston Villa on December 21 for their final game before Christmas.
Sports Mole senior reporter Oliver Thomas spoke with McInerney to discuss where the points could be won and lost by Man City during this challenging fixture schedule, and whether any matches could prove to be a "real banana skin" for Guardiola and co.
Press play on the video at the top of this article to hear the full discussion.
Man City's next eight fixtures in all competitions:
Tottenham Hotspur (H) – Premier League – November 23
Feyenoord (H) – Champions League – November 26
Liverpool (A) – Premier League – December 1
Nottingham Forest (H) – Premier League – December 4
Crystal Palace (A) – Premier League – December 7
Juventus (A) – Champions League – December 11
Manchester United (H) – Premier League – December 15
Aston Villa (A) – Premier League – December 21
Oliver Thomas
