Manchester City now have just one goal — to collect four points from their remaining two matches and secure a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Among the five clubs still in contention, City appear to have the best chance. Manager Pep Guardiola is confident that his team will finish in the Premier League’s top five and earn their Champions League spot for the next campaign.
Liverpool have already clinched the Premier League title with four games to spare. Arsenal also confirmed their place in the Champions League after defeating Newcastle United on Sunday.
Newcastle are currently third with 66 points, followed by Chelsea in fourth and Aston Villa in fifth — both also on 66 points. Manchester City and Nottingham Forest sit sixth and seventh respectively, each with 65 points.
Only three of these five clubs will make it to the Champions League, and City are the only team left with two matches to play; the others each have just one.
City, who have won the Premier League title in the last four seasons, last failed to qualify for the Champions League back in the 2009–10 season. After their recent FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, this season marks the first in eight years that they will end without a major trophy.
On Tuesday, City will host 11th-placed Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium. Speaking the day before the match, Guardiola made it clear what’s at stake:
“If we are not (in the Champions League), then we are not deserving — we will play in the Europa League. That’s how it is.”
“I think we will qualify (for the Champions League). That’s my belief, and the way I see things… I believe that. We need four points. That’s the main target. I’m fully (confident about qualifying).”
