Are Manchester City playing the best football in Europe right now?
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Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday saw them move another step closer to the Premier League title.
In less than seven days Pep Guardiola’s men swept both Chelsea and Arsenal aside (twice) with consummate ease.
The London duo are two of the Premier League’s most successful sides, so it says much about City’s dominance.
Their Premier League record reads: P29 W25 D3 L1, F83 A20. It’s little short of sensational and there’s no doubt they’re playing the best football in England right now.
But how do they stack up when compared to the continent?
We’ve picked out the four most successful sides in Europe’s major leagues this term, and analysed how they compare.
Bayern Munich – P25 W20 D3 L2 F59 A18
Bayern have dominated the Bundesliga for years now, and it’s the same this season.
They hold a 20-point lead with nine games to go, although the fierce battle behind them skews that margin a touch.
Jupp Heynckes’ men are still smashing teams for four or five on a regular basis, and they’ve been ruthless in Europe too.
Arjen Robben et al are ageing now though, and arguably Bayern peaked a few years back, so we don’t think they’re playing better than City. It’s close though.
Juventus – P26 W22 D2 L2 F63 A15
Are Juventus playing better footy than City right now? That’s a tough one.
Juve have been sensational domestically this season. They’ve won their last 10 league games and are on course to again secure Serie A.
Built on possibly the best defence in Europe, the Old Lady have conceded just one league goal in their last 12 matches.
The Turin side usually keep things compact. They’ve won 1-0 seven times this term, but 6-2 and 7-0 wins over Udinese and Sassuolo respectively suggest they can turn it up a notch.
City are perhaps playing the better football from a stylistic point of view, but in terms of getting results, Juve are right on par.
Paris Saint-Germain – P28 W24 D2 L2 F86 A19
Statistically Paris Saint-Germain are absolutely on Manchester City’s level. They’ve scored more goals in fewer league games, and have conceded fewer too.
The big problem with Les Parisiens however, is the general acceptance that life in Ligue 1 is easier than in the Premier League.
PSG have lost 3-1 away at both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the Champions League this season, and that may be the true indicator of where they’re at.
Yes they have played sensational football this season, but are they doing it against quality sides? That’s the sticking point.
Barcelona – P27 W21 D6 L0 F70 A13
Given that they are unbeaten, it can be argued that Barcelona are better than the Citizens at this point.
The Catalan giants have developed a steely nature under Ernesto Valverde, even if they’ve lost some of that swashbuckling attack from the Guardiola golden years.
That’s not to say Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez aren’t still clinical. Barca have scored five goals or more on four occasions. And they could be devastating again once Ousmane Dembele settles in.
If City aren’t playing the best football in Europe, then surely the accolade goes to Barcelona. Perhaps we’ll find out if they meet in the Champions League final…
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
