Manchester City are currently top of the u18s Premier League. Could Sunderland topple them and claim the top spot? Find out here.
Photo by Emilio Garcia on Unsplash
The English u18 Premier League is far more important than many people realise. It is where clubs test out their youngsters and assess whether any are or could be ready to make the step up to the men’s game.
As fans, we can view the u18s league as a useful barometer of what we might expect to see in the Premier League in the very near future. Often, results in the u18s league can be surprising, and there are always twists and turns over the course of the season. Can Sunderland topple Manchester City in the u18s league? Let’s find out.
As It Stands
Manchester City are one of the most popular football clubs in the world. Man City tickets sell like hotcakes as people flock to see this free-flowing footballing side in action, with its team of superstars and Pep Guardiola at the helm.
The Man City u18s squad seem to be of a similar quality, sitting clear atop the table with 27 points from 13 games. However, Sunderland are hot on their heels. With 23 points from 11 games played, Sunderland could realistically claim the top spot if they were to win their next two ties.
Form
Of their last five games, Man City have picked up an impressive 13 points, with four wins and one draw. Sunderland aren’t far behind, with 11 points from their last five, recording three wins and two draws. However, Sunderland started the season off the stronger of the two, recording four wins and one loss in their opening five fixtures. Man City took seven points from their opening five, winning two, losing two, and drawing one. This shaky opening started Man City off on the wrong foot and, despite having played more games, are in danger of being caught by Sunderland.
Head-to-Head
Sunderland and Man City faced each other on matchday 11 of the season. The game was played at Sunderland’s Academy of Light training stadium and finished in a 1 – 1 draw.
Sunderland’s Will Cain opened the scoring in the 31st minute, while Man City’s Emilio Lawrence scored the equaliser to level things three minutes before the half-time interval.
When Will They Play Again?
Sunderland will next face Man City away on matchday 23, 22 April. There are eight other matches between now and then, so there is every possibility of the league table looking significantly different before this important crunch fixture. Sunderland currently have a 50% away record, while Man City have only lost once at home out of six matches, which could be an influencing factor in how the tie plays out.
Could Sunderland Topple Man City?
With two games in hand and just four points separating them, Sunderland could well topple Man City providing they keep winning. Sunderland’s next tie is a tough one, an away game against fifth-placed Wolves. However, City will be up against fourth-placed Nottingham Forest, which could well prove to be a banana skin. They say anything can happen in football, so we’ll just have to wait and see.
