Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has declared that Manchester City are out of the title race after drawing 2-2 against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s side are eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool, having played a game more, and when asked if the reigning champions are now out of the running for top spot, Merson replied:
“Yeah, I would say so. When I say I think that’s it for Man City in the title race, I’ve seen Man City play too many times, they dominate games, they probe, if they don’t win the [opposition] goalkeeper is the best player on the pitch. They have 30 shots a game.”
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“I don’t give them a chance, I don’t see them going on a 12-game run. There’s too many players not performing anywhere near their capabilities. I just don’t see it.”
City have problems at both ends of the pitch
The Cityzens have not managed to keep clean sheets in back-to-back games in the Premier League so far this season, and the xG conceded is the 9th worst in the top flight. You can’t win titles with a defence that is giving away so many chances and goals.
At the opposite end, Erling Haaland is the only player really contributing. It is a damning indictment when the club’s second top scorers are Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol on 3.
City’s Premier League title odds
Bookmakers have now priced Guardiola‘s men as long as 9/1 to win the title following their draw at Selhurst Park. Chelsea are pretty much level with them in the running, with some bookies pricing them 9/1 as well.
Liverpool remain the favourites, with betting firms still making them odds-on to finish 1st, while Arsenal are seeing their odds shorten to between 15/8 and 2/1.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here