bwin Sportsblog - Football - Is this Manchester City’s time?

I was having a discussion in the pub last night about the possible champions of England this season and also England’s chances at the 2012 European Championships. After the debacle of last year’s World Cup then I will never fancy England for a major tournament for a long time. The same coach will be in charge next year and then the 2014 World Cup will be in the heat of Brazil and no European team has won the World Cup outside of their own continent in extreme heat. Spain won in South Africa but the temperature was moderate there. So what of Manchester City in the betting? Many people fancy them this season because of the fact that they made the big trophy breakthrough with the FA Cup win and finished in the top four. I think Roberto Mancini surpassed what was expected of him in his first big debut season. To finish third in the league and an FA Cup win was a huge season for City and ending the 35 year wait for a trophy. My prediction for what it is worth is that City will seriously challenge for second spot this season but moving to being champions may be one step too far at this time. There are question marks at Stamford Bridge in two areas. The first is the aging squad and the second is the relative inexperience at the highest level of their new manager. At least when Mourinho took over he had won the Champions League. But Villas-Boas has only ever operated at the Portuguese league and Europa League level. So I am tipping United to make it title number 20.