Samir Nasri admits that Manchester City’s disappointing away form must improve if they are to mount a serious challenge in the football betting odds for the Premier League title.
The Citizens have been excellent at the Etihad all season and were again at their rampaging best on Saturday as they demolished current leaders Arsenal 6-3.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men have also previously beaten bitter rivals Manchester United 4-1 and Tottenham 6-0 on home turf this term but only sit fourth in the table, four points off the summit.
This is mainly due to their slack performances on the road, with defeats at Sunderland, Aston Villa and Cardiff holding them back and leading many football betting punters to question whether or not they will be able to win the title or have to settle for a top four place.
City have shown they can perform in the big games away from home, beating holders Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week, a victory that will give them huge confidence going into their last 16 tie with the mighty Barcelona in the New Year.
Nasri has been one of City’s best players this season, scoring five goals and providing seven assists to re-establish himself as a major star in the team after some disappointing form last term.
The 26-year-old admits his side’s focus going into Saturday’s clash with the Gunners meant he knew they were going to win but concedes that they also need to adopt this attitude against the smaller teams away from home, if they are to win silverware this year.
“We were confident, we always perform against big clubs,” Nasri said. “We did it against United, against Tottenham, midweek we beat Bayern Munich away from home.
“Now we have to do the same away from home (in the league). Since the start of the season we haven’t done as well away.”