Manchester City’s clash with West Ham this weekend at the London Stadium is City’s last before the international break. Pep Guardiola’s side will be hoping to make it three straight wins to begin the new season in London before City’s players jet off for national team duties. But once Manchester City’s players return from the upcoming international break, the season is set to ramp up, with the fixtures coming thick and fast for the world champions.
To open the 24/25 season, Manchester City has only had to play one game a week. It is a rarity for the champions to face such a light schedule. They have picked up wins over Chelsea and Ipswich Town to begin the new Premier League campaign. This weekend they will face West Ham after another solid week of training. But the equation turns into a familiar one for Pep Guardiola and his team after next weekend’s international break.
Manchester City will face Brentford following the international break at the Etihad. After that season is set to ramp up for Pep Guardiola’s side. Following yesterday’s UEFA Champions League league phase draw the Champions League is set to begin. As per uefa.com, the league phase of the Champions League will begin on September 17. From going from a game a week the fixture ramps up to a familiar pattern for Pep Guardiola’s side. Kick-off times and the fixtures for the Champions League will be released on August 31 as per uefa.com.
READ MORE: Manchester City learn their Champions League opponents ahead of the league phase of the tournament.
Following the Brentford game and Manchester City’s opening Champions League game the champions will host Arsenal. It promises to be another big clash between last season’s title rivals. Based on City’s fixture list ramping up before the clash with Mikel Arteta’s side there is little doubt that Pep Guardiola will need his entire squad after the international break. Tickets for Man City v Arsenal can be found at the link provided.
After the international break, it will be expected that Pep Guardiola will begin rotating his squad. On paper, the champions look to have all bases covered in terms of squad depth. The additions of Savinho and Ilkay Gundogan look have offset the departure of Julian Alvarez. It would be expected that players such as James McAtee and Matheus Nunes should be given opportunities to impress starting next month. There is also the bonus of players such as Kyle Walker, Phil Foden, John Stones and Rodri being up to speed in terms of their fitness. Pep Guardiola will need all of his players ready and available following the upcoming international break.
Manchester City’s clash with West Ham this weekend is their last before the fixture list ramps up next month. If they can get a win at the London Stadium they will be placed before the war of attrition begins in September. A heavy fixture list is a challenge Manchester City know well. But despite this fact they know it will become an entire squad affair after this weekend’s trip to London.
