City must retain focus

City must retain focus

While Arsenal are expecting a routine outing against Brentford tomorrow, Chiefs face a tough task away at Maritzburg United tonight – two matches that form part of TAB Soccer 10 pools which are expected to reach R3-million each.

By Mark Gleeson

There are many off-field distractions now for Manchester City in the wake of charges brought against them for breaking financial rules.

There is little doubt about their creative accounting over the years as they have outspent the other top clubs and attracted the top players, but lots of speculation about what will happen to them now.

It will surely be tough amid all the talk of possible expulsion from the league, or demotion down to the lower leagues, for the players to keep their focus at a vital juncture of the season.

But they can ill afford any mistakes now, especially at home to Aston Villa on Sunday.

City, after their loss to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, remain five points adrift of Arsenal, who do not look like they are going to slip up soon.

Both sides will be hoping to build momentum towards their two head-to-head league matches that are still to come on the Premier League programme.

Arsenal host Man City next weekend and then go to Manchester for the return game in late April. Those two matches could decide the outcome of the title race.

The Gunners, who suffered a surprise loss at lowly Everton last weekend, have tricky Brentford at home tomorrow but, unless they get a sudden attack of stage fright, that should prove a routine win.

Monday’s Merseyside derby might see Everton continue their survival bid under new manager Sean Dyche, especially as Liverpool have had a poor run of form and are beginning to look like a club in crisis. Jurgen Klopp’s pricky demeanour in recent weeks showcases that.

At home, the Nedbank Cup continues tonight after the shock elimination of SuperSport United on Wednesday in one of the competition’s all-time sensational results when they were beaten 2-1 by Dondol Stars.

There is no need to remind long-suffering Kaizer Chiefs supporters that their club has gone eight seasons without a trophy and that the only chance left in this campaign is the cup.

They have been handed a tough draw away at Maritzburg United tonight and could be bundled out at the first hurdle – which happened to them last season at the hands of TS Galaxy.

New coach Fadlu Davids is instilling confidence in the Maritzburg line-up after they spent most of the first half of the season at the bottom of the table.

Chiefs have remained inconsistent and lacking in firepower and there could be more heartache for their fans. The club are also struggling with a number of injuries.