Manchester City Can Be Beaten
- Nov 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 20
That headline doesn't stand a chance of being right if we repeat this season's inconsistent Premier League form and especially our performances away to West Ham and Brentford.
But...
This is a Saturday evening under the lights at SJP with the eyes of the football world watching on TV. The Lads have to click sometime - and this could be that game.
Some fans believe we only turn in top performances against the top teams and they don't come any bigger in the Prem than Manchester City.
So, can Eddie break his 18 game duck and beat City in the Prem - he's already achieved that feat when we beat them 1-0 at SJP in the EFL on our way to winning the 2025 Carabou Cup.
Eddie Howe hasn't beaten City in 18 Premier games
In his time managing Bournemouth, Burnley and the Magpies Eddie has lost 16 and drawn 2 of the 18 games he's managed against Manchester City.
That's a stat he'll want shot of and what better way to bin it than beating City in front of a sell out crowd under the SJP lights watched by millions worldwide in the 5.30pm Saturday live TV game slot.
This is a truly massive game that could turbo charge our season if we win.
Remember, despite our poor start to the season we are still only six points behind 5th place. That just shows how all of the top teams - except Arsenal - are losing more games than usual at this early stage of the season.
City, Chelsea, Spurs, Villa and Man U have already lost 3 in 11, and Liverpool 5.
Beat City on Saturday and, depending on how results go, we could be only 3pts off the top 6. That is no cause for panic at this stage of the season.
Lose and we'll be wedged firmly in the bottom half and still just 2pts or possibly only 1pt above a relegation place - now that would be cause for deep concern at the very least.
We have the manager, the team and the support to win
We won't start favourites with the bookies or many fans that's for sure.
On form City should win and a 3-0+ scoreline would be a bitter pill for us fans to swallow - but it wouldn't be a shock given the respective recent form of the two teams.
By the same token, it wouldn't be a total shock if we pulled off a win.
Woltemade, Tonali, Bruno, Thiaw and Botman are top players; Barnes, Murphy, Jo and Tino and Hall if they play are all capable of producing top performances.
Our motivation, energy and desire to perform and win will surely be at a peak on Saturday - anything less and Eddie will still be nursing that City stat at the end of the game.
But, City can be beaten... and I have no doubt that is the rally cry and attitude that Eddie will be instilling in the squad for this massive game.
You can bet a capacity and steaming SJP crowd will be rocking for this one too.
So, my fiver is going on a 2-1 win.
PS. Don't forget to click below and enter your predicted team in Eddie's Bingo.
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If you let your heart rule your head, you would say a hard-fought 1-0 or 2-1 to us, but then the reality of who we are playing and their current form means this could be a heavy, damaging defeat, given how fragile we look in the league.
I don't think we have been entirely fluid in any EPL fixture this term, although we have played well enough to rightly think we should have 3 or 4 points than we do, and we are at home, which is huge for us, and so will be entirely up for it, given the crowds peerless backing and the quality of the opposition.
2-1, from a strong starting 11, and perhaps a strong bench too, with hopefully Gordon, Elanga and Tino fit enough to match the matchday squad.
Oh dear - Trouble at mill…… I hope not!
if we have a team that’s going for it and it includes Hall & Tino and they all give 110% then we can win!