Manchester City’s struggles resemble the collapse of a mighty empire, once dominant across Europe but now faltering against weaker opposition.
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Their next challenge is a high-stakes showdown in Italy against Juventus, another powerhouse grappling with its own decline. City’s recent 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace marked just one win in their last nine games, while Juventus had to fight back from a 2-0 deficit to draw against Bologna.
Both teams have seen better days. Juventus, Serie A giants, have managed just two wins in their last ten matches, drawing seven, while City’s Champions League campaign has been marred by a crushing 4-1 defeat to Sporting and a squandered three-goal lead in a 3-3 draw against Feyenoord. Juventus started their European run strong with two wins but stumbled with a shocking home loss to Stuttgart, followed by draws against Lille and Aston Villa.
As the group stage reaches its critical juncture, both clubs face mounting pressure. Securing a spot in the top 24 for the play-offs is no longer guaranteed. A defeat here could spell disaster and an early exit.
Injuries have only compounded the woes of both squads, setting the stage for a tense encounter where goals will be hard to come by. Juventus boasts an impressive defensive record, with ten clean sheets in 15 league games and just ten goals conceded, making it a formidable challenge for City’s Erling Haaland.
Bookmakers favor a low-scoring affair. A draw at 5/2 appears a likely outcome, with odds for a 1-1 result at 11/2. For those expecting fewer goals, under 2.5 goals is priced at 4/5.
Meanwhile, Arsenal seeks to bounce back from their 1-1 draw against Fulham as they host Monaco at the Emirates. Odds favor them to lead at halftime and full-time at 20/23, with Bukayo Saka tipped to open the scoring at 5/1 or score anytime at 17/10. As the pressure mounts in Europe, all eyes are on these pivotal matches.
