The team faces a tough challenge, as they will be competing against big spenders Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea. However, the return of Ballon d'Or winner Rodri and top scorer Erling Haaland to top form gives the team reason to be optimistic.

Last season, City were tipped to win a record-breaking fifth consecutive Premier League title but struggled in the middle of the season and missed a top-two spot for the first time since 2016-17. They finished third behind Liverpool and Arsenal, with their worst points total under Guardiola.

City's struggles were exacerbated by the loss of Rodri, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in September. Guardiola's men went on a dismal run of nine defeats in 12 games across all competitions after Rodri's injury.

Haaland, who led the Premier League in scoring for two successive seasons, saw his goal tally drop to 31 across all competitions in 2024-25. Despite this, he still showed his lethal scoring ability in what was considered an off-year.

Haaland will be eager to prove himself this season and regain his top scorer title. He will be looking to put himself back in the running for the Golden Boot.

Guardiola has been working on rebuilding the team, spending £180 million on new players including Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico Gonzalez, and Vitor Reis. Marmoush had an immediate impact with a 13-minute hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Newcastle United in February.

The team has further strengthened with the signings of Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri, winger Rayan Cherki, and goalkeeper James Trafford. These additions have pushed City's spending for 2025 past the £300 million mark.

Ait-Nouri was brought in to reinforce the left-back position, while Reijnders and Cherki were signed to replace De Bruyne's creative spark in midfield.

City boasts one of the best strikers in the game in Haaland, but the fight to support him runs deep with Marmoush, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Savinho, Oscar Bobb, and Cherki all in contention.

Guardiola expressed his optimism about the team's prospects, saying, "I’m pretty sure it’ll be good, but it won’t be a red carpet season, there’ll always be problems, it’s how you overcome those situations."

The manager is under no illusions about the challenges ahead, saying it will be difficult to determine what a successful campaign would be. He emphasized the importance of the team's spirit and fight, saying, "When the (players) give good spirit and fight and run and give their best, sometimes you can do your best and the opponents are just better."

The team is also facing a cloud of uncertainty as they face 115 charges of breaking Premier League financial regulations. City has always denied any wrongdoing and is waiting for a verdict, which is expected during the October international break.