After their large spending spree in the last few transfer windows, many have expected Manchester City to challenge for a top four finish in the English Premier League. Currently, the club is in the top half of the Premiership table but the questions remains if where will they finish? It’s hard to say at this point but here’s a look at the season so far and a prediction of if they will earn a UEFA Champions League spot for next season.

Through Sunday, December 6, 2009, Manchester City is 6th in the league table with a 6-7-1 record and one point off fourth place. They are only three points off third place Arsenal.

The Team

The club now has a roster that can compete with the likes of Liverpool, Man U, Chelsea, and Arsenal. Carlos Tevez came from Man U, Emmanuel Adebayor from Arsenal, Joleon Lescott from Everton, and Gareth Barry from Aston Villa all transferred during the summer window. These players combined with Shaun Wright-Phillips, Stephen Ireland, Robinho, and Shay Given have made Man City a talented team that should be able to compete for a top half finish every season but will they?

The Season So Far

It was a great start for Man City as they won five out of their first six matches. City could not maintain this momentum and then drew the next seven matches. They would snap their winless streak on Saturday, December 5 with a 2-1 against Chelsea. While they’ve been inconsistent this season, they’ve only loss one match (league best) and been able to stay in the top half of the table.

City’s performances against the top clubs has been most impressive as they’ve beaten Arsenal, Chelsea, and earned draws on the road against Liverpool and Aston Villa. Man City’s biggest problem this season has been their inability to get wins against the weaker clubs such as Birmingham City, Burnley, and Hull City.

The club has been able to score goals but their problem (especially in the stretch of 7 draws) is their inability to hold onto a lead. Defensively, City has been prone to mistakes and conceding second half goals. The roster is filled with offensive minded players who are talented but the back four (including Lescott) have not been consistent.

This is just a brief recap of the season so far but now let’s address the main question of how Man City will do this season.

Will Man City finish in the top four?

There’s no way to know for sure what will happen but I think it’s safe to say that Man City will be playing in Europe next season. The question is where this will be the Europa League or the Champions League.

Man City is improving and on the right track but I don’t believe they have enough to make the top four but will likely finish fifth or sixth. I could be wrong and Liverpool could continue to implode but I doubt it. Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United will finish in the top four (likely top 3) so there’s only one Champions League spot up for grabs.

Liverpool is out of the Champions League (will be in Europa League) and still have Torres and Gerrard. Aston Villa has possibly the best manager in the EPL (Martin O’Neill) and will not fade this season because of the Europa League. Tottenham Hotspur are impressive and have shown they can be as dangerous as any club. City will have to beat out all these clubs to earn that fourth spot and I don’t see it happening.

The main reason is they are not strong enough defensively and still too inconsistent. Also, I’m not convinced that Mark Hughes is as good a manager as O’Neill or Tottenham’s Harry Redknapp.

City could go spend in the winter transfer window to bolster their defense but I don’t think that will be enough. Liverpool are a better club and even with their struggling start, they have an experienced team that will be able to get results down the stretch. Aston Villa is another club that I’d take over City because of last season’s experience, their discipline style of play, and manager.

With all this being said, Man City should get a spot in Europe next summer but unfortunately for their supporters it will be the Europa League instead of the Champions League.