- The Cityzens are 10 points behind their score from last Christmas after a nightmare
- They lost again this weekend, slipping to defeat against Aston Villa
- LISTEN NOW: It all starts! Are Tottenham managers treated differently to other managers?
Michael Owen somehow saw Manchester City’s current woes coming in a sensational pre-season prediction that has since gone viral.
The Cityzens’ miserable campaign continued last weekend as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa – a result that looked friendlier after Phil Foden’s last-minute consolation.
Matters came to a head for Pep Guardiola’s men after a derby day nightmare against rivals United earlier this month, which saw the champions score two late goals for the first time since 2021 to lose at home to their neighbors.
At one point, City lost five in a row in all competitions and they have won just one Premier League game in their last eight, while conceding a slew of goals, in form comparable to that of a relegation candidate.
It all means they will find themselves stranded in seventh place at Christmas with just 27 points in 17 games – 10 points less than this time last year.
Very few saw the capitulation coming, but one man who can count himself among the mystical group is Michael Owen, who made a remarkable preseason prediction that has just resurfaced.
Michael Owen somehow saw Man City’s shock run coming in his pre-season prediction
Pep Guardiola signed a new contract this season, but his team has won one in eight in the league
Owen demonstrated his mystical powers by saying that the Cityzens ‘might stumble this year’
He told it Football365: ‘Manchester City will struggle to finish in the top four this season.
‘Arsenal and Manchester City will be in the top four of almost all teams.
‘I’m going to put my money on Arsenal first, Liverpool second, Aston Villa third and Manchester City fourth.
‘The title is in the hands of Manchester City, but I think they could stumble this year. They came up strong when they needed to and had an incredible run last year, but at some point they will fall short.
‘They are also under investigation and Pep Guardiola will not stay there forever. This could be his last season.”
It’s all very creepy – and former Ballon d’Or winner Owen has been quick to draw attention to his paranormal abilities in recent days.
He reposted the prediction at X, along with an upside-down smiley emoji.
On Saturday Guardiola, who recently signed a new contract after being heavily touted to move on once his contract expires next summer, revealed what he believed were the main problems with his team.
Their horrific run leaves them twelve points behind leaders Liverpool at Christmas
Matters reached a low point when they lost a lead at home to rivals Man United, losing 2–1
City lost again to Aston Villa this weekend, leaving them on just 27 points after seventeen games
“We are struggling to score and we are conceding goals,” he said.
‘We made a very good first half, we are still bothered by the mistake.
“Second half we fell away, we changed our pressure a bit because John (Stones) couldn’t continue and we weren’t as good as the first half. Congratulations to Aston Villa and carry on.”
Guardiola confirmed that Stones had suffered a recurrence of his previous injury, with the defender replaced by Kyle Walker at the start of the second half.
He added: “Our build-up was comfortable, but they are so strong in the middle. They follow the pockets, the physicality very well with Onana and Kamara.
‘We could link in. We had good moments, no big chances. For example, we had more chances than in the United game, but we missed the second half.
“Our pressing wasn’t effective on our right side and we struggled a bit. After we couldn’t get them to drop properly. In the end we found a goal, but it was too late.’