Manchester City recently passed the 100-goal mark for the current season, needing just 34 games, eight fewer than previous record holders Chelsea.
It is clear to see that everyone at Manchester City is enjoying life under current manager Manuel Pellegrini.
So, what has the Chilean done to revitalise this City side, which looked distinctly average last season under Roberto Mancini, turning them into the most attractive footballing side in the Premier League?
First and foremost the lift in morale has been pivotal for the change around in fortunes. While Mancini was a good manager he came across as an autocratic manager, often giving his players a tongue-lashing.
Look at Samir Nasri. Last season he was heavily scrutinized by Mancini and had a less than stellar campaign for City.
Or Joleon Lescott, who wasn’t overtly fond of the ex-Inter Milan boss.
But Pellegrini has come in and rejuvenated the place; he appears to be much more of an arm around the shoulder type of manager than a despot. And it is working wonders.
Samir Nasri, albeit injured at the moment, has been a stand out performer for City this season.
Ultimately, when players are happy they play better, and the bookmakers have taken note of this. Titan Bet, whose latest World Cup odds are now online, have Manchester City as their favourites for the title.
Many believe that turnaround at the Etihad is due to a change in tactics. Under Mancini, City had a whole host of star quality players, whose main strength centred on attack. However, Mancini wasn’t the most attack minded manager.
Instead, he set his side up with a rigid archaic defensive formation, rendering some of his players useless. Pellegrini, on the other hand, is a student of the attacking philosophy. Playing true to his South American roots he has introduced attacking football to the Etihad, and it’s working wonders.
Why? Because the City players are the best in the league at attacking and now Pellegrini has removed the blinkers they can go full throttle at sides, something that most sides cannot cope with.
Look no further than Sergio Aguero. Last season he was a forlorn figure, managing 12 goals in 30 league games.
This season he has 14 from 16 games, and is second favourite in the Titan Bet best live betting odds to finish as top scorer. This change in mantra suits everyone across the board at City; it’s a system that accommodates instrumental players such as Yaya Toure and David Silva far better than the mundane formations utilised by Roberto Mancini.
The old saying that your home is your castle has been expanded by Pellegrini. The Etihad is their fortress.
Excluding their defeat to Bayern Munich, which they avenged in the reverse fixture, City have won every home game this season. The Etihad is the stadium that no club wants to visit at the moment; the consistency levels are just frightening.
That is a phenomenal achievement. If you don’t drop points at home then you have every chance of winning the league.
It will be interesting to see how Barcelona fare there in the upcoming Champions League fixture.
