The 2021/22 Premier League fixtures have been released – and Manchester City ought to be relatively pleased with the hand they have been dealt.
The 20 top-flight clubs discovered their pattern of games at 9am this morning.
City will be hoping for a successful defence of their Premier League title.
And in all honesty, it’s a decent-looking arrangement for the Citizens.
They kick-off against Tottenham Hotspur away, and one instantly wonders which team – if any – Harry Kane will be turning out for.
Then it’s two home games against Norwich City and Arsenal.
The festive period definitely looks quite enticing.
It’s usually a defining period for any team, and City face Watford, Wolves, Leeds, Newcastle, Leicester and Brentford.
The run-in looks good too – City face Newcastle at home, West Ham away and finally, Aston Villa at home in their final three outings, with Wolves, Watford and Leeds preceding them.
Of course, there is never really an ‘easy’ run of games in a Premier League season.
But City have definitely bagged favourable patterns in the most crucial parts of the season.
If Pep Guardiola’s side can navigate their way through the first seven games and amass a decent tally of points, confidence will be very high for the rest of the season.
The start is perhaps the trickiest period, with Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool all to face early doors.
