There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a disappointing 2019-20 Premier League campaign for Manchester City, who have simply been unable to match the pace set by runaway leaders Liverpool.
The coronavirus pandemic could yet deny Liverpool the title, but there is a general feeling that the campaign will be completed in the coming months.
City are currently 25 points behind Jurgen Klopp's side with a game in hand, meaning that the Merseyside giants only need six more points to clinch the title.
The Citizens, meanwhile, are only four points clear of third-placed Leicester City, demonstrating that they have a battle on their hands to secure a top-two spot if the Premier League season is allowed to continue.
Here, Sports Mole has taken an in-depth look at City's remaining 10 fixtures.
© Reuters
It is currently unclear how the 2019-20 season could continue in terms of format, meaning that the order of matches for City is not particularly important at this stage, at least until a final decision has been made by the powers that be.
The Citizens had been due to take on Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on March 11, only for the fixture to be postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. City would have fancied their chances of beating the Gunners considering that they have won the last six meetings between the two teams, while the capital side have not beaten City away from home since January 2015.
Pep Guardiola's side still have to go to Chelsea, though, and the Blues will be fighting for a top-four finish should the season resume. City have only lost once to Chelsea since April 2017, though, and ran out 2-1 winners at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season. That said, the capital giants recorded a 2-0 victory when the pair last met at Stamford Bridge in the league – December 2018.
City will also, of course, have to take on runaway leaders Liverpool. The Reds have only lost one Premier League match this season and recorded a 3-1 victory when the pair met at Anfield back in November. That said, the Citizens ran out 2-1 winners in their last Premier League meeting at the Etihad Stadium.
© Reuters
Guardiola's side will fancy their chances of overcoming Burnley, Newcastle United, Bournemouth and Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium. Burnley and Newcastle are almost safe in the league this season, but Bournemouth and Norwich are battling for their lives at the bottom of the table.
Indeed, the Cherries are currently 18th in the division while Norwich sit 20th. The Canaries famously recorded a 3-2 victory over Guardiola's side at Carrow Road earlier this season, but they have not beaten the Manchester giants away from home in the Premier League for almost seven years.
Southampton away is a tricky match for City as the Saints have shown a lot of improvement in recent months. That said, Ralph Hasenhuttl's side have only won one of their last five in the league, losing to Liverpool, Burnley, West Ham United and Newcastle during a disappointing run.
Brighton & Hove Albion and Watford away are also both difficult contests, particularly as the two clubs are likely to be battling against the drop. City have won their last six matches against Brighton in all competitions, though, while they have not lost to Watford since March 1989 during a very strong run of results.
© Reuters
The average overall position for City's remaining opponents is 13th-14th. Meanwhile, the average position of the teams still to visit the Etihad Stadium is 12th and the average of those City must still visit themselves is 12th-13th, suggesting that there is little advantage in terms of home and away games.
City have the third-best home record in the Premier League this season with 29 points from their 13 matches, while they have the second-best record on the road, picking up 28 points from their 15 fixtures, recording nine wins in the process.
If play is allowed to resume then only a minor miracle will allow City back into the title argument. There is no question that Guardiola's side have some tough matches in their run-in, although it is a fairly kind fixture list overall, and the supporters will be hoping for a strong finish to the campaign.
City's remaining Premier League fixtures
Arsenal (h)
Burnley (h)
Chelsea (a)
Liverpool (h)
Southampton (a)
Newcastle (h)
Brighton (a)
Bournemouth (h)
Watford (a)
Norwich (h)
