Five matches where perfect City may come unstuck

IT’S fair to say Pep Guardiola has had a fruitful start to life at Manchester City.

After all, the Spanish chief, 45, has won all 10 of his opening 10 games – including six wins in the English Premier League, three in the Champions League and one in the League Cup.

The stand-out performances include a 5-0 win away to Steaua Bucharest, 4-0 wins at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bournemouth and the 4-1 win away to Stoke.

That’s right, the goals keep flying for Pep’s City, with Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling in particularly fine form.

But when will the winning run come to a grinding halt? SunSport runs down the five fixtures where Guardiola and Co could come unstuck.

1. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (EPL, away, Oct 2)

THE first real potential banana skin comes in only two games as Guardiola’s men face a road trip to London to take on Tottenham Hotspur.

With Harry Kane still ruled out, it could be that City can discard the challenge posed by Mauricio Pochettino’s men easily.

Then again, Tottenham are second in the league table, including a 2-1 win away at Middlesbrough on Saturday and will certainly pose a threat.

But will they put up enough of a fight at White Hart Lane to stop the attacking juggernaut that is City?

2. BARCELONA (Champions League, away, Oct 19)

The Champions League is arguably the toughest challenge ... not only on this list, but in world football.

That is, a trip to the Nou Camp to take on Barcelona in the Champions League.

In just under four weeks, Guardiola will be back at his old stomping ground to take on the Catalan giants.

If anyone were to put the brakes on Pep’s run, you’d argue it could be Neymar, Luis Suarez and Co ... even if Lionel Messi does miss the showdown.

3. MAN UNITED (League Cup, away, Oct 26)

THEN comes the derby take II ... with City travelling across Manchester to take on United at Old Trafford in the League Cup.

We all know Pep’s predecessor Manuel Pellegrini took this tournament seriously, taking home the trophy two years in a row.

But with Jose Mourinho in charge at United now and looking to prove a point, as well as Pep looking for Premier League and Champions League glory, it could well be that Guardiola takes his eye off the ball somewhat.

If they make it past Barcelona, could this be the slipping point?

4. WEST BROM (EPL, away, Oct 29)

THE Baggies, really? Well, following four games in 11 days, including Everton at home, Barca away, Southampton at home and United away, Pep and Co will take a trip to the Midlands to take on West Brom.

Not only that, they face their home tie against Barcelona only three days after this clash.

With tired legs almost a certainty, Guardiola will need to consider making wholesale changes in order to have his stars, such as Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne, fit for Barca’s visit.

Should City’s winning run last this long, it could be possible Tony Pulis’ men spring a real surprise on a lethargic, distracted City.

5. BARCELONA (Champions League, home, Nov 1)

IF City make it through all of that with their winning run in tact, November’s first clash sees that Barcelona game at the Etihad.

With MSN set to storm the field in Manchester, it could spell danger for a, shall we say “inconsistent” defence.

City’s frontline may be in top form at the moment, but fighting fire with fire against the likes of Barcelona is a risky business.