Man City Season Preview: Key Player, Signing to Watch, Predicted Lineup and Betting Tip

Manchester City are next up in our 2024/25 Premier League season preview as we look back at their 2023/24 campaign, pick out the key player, the signing to watch, predict where they'll finish and make a betting tip via oddschecker. 

2023/24 Season Roundup 

Despite it remaining a three-horse race right up until the end of April, Manchester City claimed an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title last time out, pipping Arsenal to top spot by just two points. Pep Guardiola’s side also reached the final of the FA Cup, only to lose out to bitter rivals Manchester United at Wembley. In Europe, the Cityzens were unable to defend their Champions League title, as they were dumped out in the quarter-finals by eventual winners Real Madrid. 

Key Player - Rodri

Despite the goalscoring exploits of Erling Haaland, and a sensational campaign from Phil Foden, last season it became pretty clear that Rodri was Manchester City’s main man. The Spain midfielder, who won Euro 2024 with his country this summer, was the second highest player in the Premier League last season (7.62). What’s more, each of City’s three Premier League defeats last term came with Rodri out of the team. 

Signing to Watch - Savinho

Although already owned by the City Football Group, Savinho was announced as a new Manchester City player this summer, following a sparkling spell with Girona last season. The Brazilian winger, still just 20, completed more dribbles (104) than any other player in Spain’s top-flight last term, while he also made an impressive 53 key passes.

Predicted opening day XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Rodri; Bobb, Silva, Foden, Doku; Haaland

Predicted finish - 2nd 

Betting tip 

It may come as a surprise, given their relentless success over recent seasons, that we are opting for City to not win the Premier League title this season, but an ever-improving Arsenal - and division as a whole - may just see the champions relinquish their thrown this time around.

As such, we’re backing Arsenal to finish first and City to finish second at 4/1 best price with bet365, via oddschecker (price correct as of 12:30 on 14/08/2024).

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