Manchester City Games: Key Matches Define Title Race in January 2026

5 January 2026 Sport

Introduction: City’s Crucial Title Chase

Manchester City’s games in early 2026 have become pivotal as Pep Guardiola’s side pursues Premier League leaders Arsenal. The club sits six points behind Arsenal at the halfway point of the season, making every fixture critical in their quest for another title. With the return of both Rodri and Jeremy Doku after recent spells on the sidelines, City’s squad depth is strengthening at a crucial juncture in the campaign.

Recent Match Results: Points Dropped in Title Race

Manchester City’s start to 2026 has been challenging. City started the new calendar year with a 0-0 draw at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, despite dominating possession and chances. Sunderland extended their unbeaten Premier League home record to 10 games after holding Manchester City to a goalless draw. The frustration continued days later when Enzo Fernández scored a stoppage-time equalizer as managerless Chelsea snatched a 1-1 draw at title-chasing Manchester City, with Tijjani Reijnders putting the home side on course for victory in the first half before Fernandez’s late intervention.

Rodri’s Welcome Return Boosts Squad

A major positive for City has been the return of midfield anchor Rodri. The Spaniard took to the pitch for the first time since a brief substitute appearance in early November during the Sunderland match. Rodri has not been in the First XI since their 1-0 success at Brentford in November 2025 but made a welcome return to the starting lineup against Chelsea, marking his first start in three months.

Upcoming Fixtures and Season Outlook

Looking ahead, Manchester City faces crucial fixtures that will define their season. City’s FA Cup third round clash with Exeter City at 15:00 on Saturday 10 January marks the first ever competitive meeting between the two sides. Despite the recent setbacks, City are buoyed by one of their strongest ever year-end runs in the Premier League, with eight wins and just one defeat since November. With key players returning from injury and the squad competing across multiple competitions, City’s games throughout January will be critical in determining whether they can close the gap on Arsenal and mount a serious title challenge in the second half of the season.