Man City won't end losing run until Pep Guardiola fixes their alarming new habit

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Defeat at Tottenham in the Carabao Cup was the start of Manchester City's awful run. It could help to end it, too. With no cup game this week, City have a leisurely six days between the Manchester United game and the Saturday lunchtime trip to Aston Villa.

Had City beaten Spurs back in November, it would have set up back-to-back Etihad derbies vs United, which could have been both a blessing and a curse given their current run.

Instead, Guardiola has the chance for something he has been desperate for - some time. A week without a game has allowed him chance to give his squad two days off, before three valuable days training with as many players as possible. ALSO READ: Liverpool and Arsenal players show true colours as Rodri told Vinicius Jr truth in FIFA Best voting ALSO READ: 'Whatever it takes' - Meet the Man City right-back pushing Kyle Walker and Rico Lewis in training He will hope that time gives the likes of John Stones and Mateo Kovacic the chance to return, while others who have been overworked can be managed carefully.

Manu Akanji and Nathan Ake are still to return from injury, but three of the next four midweeks being blank can give those players and other time to get back to fitness.