- The Cityzens are within 10 points of their tally from last Christmas after a nightmare run
- They lost again at the weekend, falling to Aston Villa.
- LISTEN NOW: It's all starting! Are Tottenham managers treated differently to other managers?
Michael Owen somehow saw Manchester City's current problems coming, in a sensational pre-season prediction that has since gone viral.
The Cityzens' miserable campaign continued over the weekend as they lost 2-1 at Aston Villa, a result that looked better after Phil Foden's last-minute consolation.
Things came to a head for Pep Guardiola's men after a nightmare derby against rivals United earlier this month, which saw the champions score two late goals to lose at home to their neighbors for the first time since 2021.
At one point, City lost five games in a row in all competitions and won just one Premier League game in their last eight, while conceding a host of goals, in a run similar to that of a relegation contender. .
All this means they will be stranded in seventh place at Christmas with just 27 points from 17 games, 10 points less than their tally at this time last year.
Very few saw the capitulation coming, but one man who can be counted among the mystical group is Michael Owen, who issued a remarkable pre-season prediction that has just resurfaced.
Michael Owen somehow saw Man City's shocking 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 Cityzens 'might stumble this year'
he said Football365: 'Manchester City will have a hard time finishing in the top four this season.
'Arsenal and Manchester City will be among the top four predictions of almost all teams.
“I'm going to bet 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 have stepped forward very strongly when they needed to and last year they had an incredible run, but at some point they will fall short.
“They also have a pending investigation and Pep Guardiola is not going to be there forever. This could be his last season.”
All very creepy, and former Ballon d'Or winner Owen has been quick to draw attention to his psychic abilities in recent days.
He reposted the prediction on X along with an upside-down smiley face emoji.
On Saturday, Guardiola, who recently signed a new contract after being heavily touted to move on once his contract ended next summer, revealed what he believed were the key issues with his team.
Their atrocious streak leaves them 12 points behind leaders Liverpool at Christmas
Things hit a low point when they blew a lead against rivals Man United at home and lost 2-1.
City lost again at the weekend against Aston Villa and leaves them with just 27 points after 17 games.
“It's hard for us to score and we concede goals,” he said.
“We had a very good first half, we still have problems with the error.
'In the second half we lost, we changed our pressure a bit because John (Stones) couldn't continue and we weren't as good as in the first half. Congratulate Aston Villa and move on.”
Guardiola confirmed that Stones had suffered his previous injury again, with the defender being replaced by Kyle Walker at the start of the second half.
And he added: “Our preparation was comfortable, but in the middle they are very strong.” The pockets continue very well, the physicality with Onana and Kamara.
'We could connect inside. We had good moments, not great opportunities. We had more opportunities than in the game against United, for example, but in the second half we lost.
'Our pressure was not effective on our right side and we suffered a little. Afterwards we couldn't leave them well. “In the end we found a goal, but it was too late.”