Man City to play two matches in 49 hours in tight schedule

Manchester City have been handed a tough schedule after the international break. They are set to face Arsenal in a Premier League fixture on September 22 before facing Watford in the third round of Carabao Cup 49 hours later.

Fortunately, both fixtures will be played at Etihad, taking away the burden of leaving one place to the other during a highly hectic schedule.

The last time a Premier League side faced a similar fate was in 2019 when Liverpool had to play a Carabao Cup tie with Aston Villa and a FIFA Club World Cup semi-final fixture against Monterrey just 24 hours later.

Jurgen Klopp was forced to use youngsters for the Carabao Cup game, and his side unsurprisingly lost 5-0 but fortunately, won the Club Cup, beating Flamengo by a solitary goal in the final.

Manchester City may not have to do so as they won’t have to travel like the Reds did in 2019 but Pep Guardiola will have to make huge rotations during that period.

Pep Guardiola’s side will face Arsenal at 16:30 BST on Sunday 22nd September followed by a Carabao Cup clash against Watford on Tuesday 24th September.

Manchester City have one of the deepest squads in the Premier League and with the emergence of youngsters like Rico Lewis, Guardiola will be hoping to come out of that hefty schedule unscathed.

The Citizens resume duties after the international break with a Premier League fixture against Brentford before facing Inter Milan on the opening matchday of the UEFA Champions League, both of which will be played at the Etihad.

They will then face the Gunners and Watford before rounding up the month with a trip to St.James’ Park to face Newcastle United.