Manchester United could catch City in the league but the table will not show it for a month. United have one league game until April 3rd, that game is Sunday against West Ham.
City will play two, Southampton today and Fulham on Saturday. If City were to drop points in those games the table will not show it until United level City on games.
City could just blow by Southampton and Fulham opening up a 17 point lead before United play West Ham. But, these games might be tougher for City than perceived.
In April, City face Leicester, Leeds, Villa and Spurs. A mixed set of games, two really good teams, a Villa side that could get into Europe and a Leeds team that drew with City in October.
Southampton
It is hard to convince United fans that Southampton, the team United smashed 9-0, could steal points from City, but I will try.
Pep Gaurdiola acknowledged that Southampton playing with 10 men for 89 minutes is hard on any team, after he jokingly said they would be the Saints 18-0. Southampton ended up going down to 9 men in that game as well, tough situation.
Back in December, City defeated Southampton 1-0, and it was not overly convincing from City. In the Summer, Southampton beat City 1-0 during Project Restart.
Southampton have experienced a fall from grace in the table, at one point they were threatening for Europe, now they sit humbled at 14.
Southampton are in weird spot in the table, the rise of Fulham in the relegation zone might be worrying for the Saints, they are only 7 points off the bottom with 33 points.
Any result against City would boost Southampton spirits for those next four games and the points will be instrumental in ensuring safety sooner rather than later.
After City, Southampton in the league, play Brighton, Burnley, West Brom and Crystal Palace, all teams around them in the table and all teams fighting for points to stay up. Palace will be cool with a 0-0 draw against Southampton though.
Southampton are 1-1-8 in their last 10 league games.
Fulham
United fans most have been gleefully smiling before the derby on Sunday when they saw Fulham beat rivals Liverpool at Anfield, it was a great Sunday for United fans.
Fulham closed the gap at the bottom and are now level with Brighton on 26 points, a single point behind Newcastle and four behind Burnley.
Fulham defensively have been superb lately only giving up 6 goals in their last 10 games and keeping 5 clean sheets during that span.
City defeated Fulham 2-0 in December and they will definitely get a better version of what they faced three months ago.
Fulham will look to test their new found defensive prowess against City’s powerhouse offense and it would not be surprising with how Fulham has played against top clubs this season that they can pull off a result.
Since a 3-2 defeat to Everton in November, Fulham have not given up more than two goals in a league game. During that span they have played all the top clubs.
The gap at the top could be in the single digits in April.
