The top eight could all be in Europe next season – if Liverpool win the Europa League and United the FA Cup – which would confirm that Southampton and West Ham qualify no matter what they do this weekend.
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“We have always been in the Champions League spots, for 37 games, so I think we deserve to be there, and we played very well against Arsenal [the 2-2 draw last weekend] so I think we deserve to qualify”, he said.
But as Manuel Pellegrini manages his final match for the Citizens on Sunday at in-form Swansea City, what that team will be able to do for Guardiola in the Champions League after his arrival is very much uncertain.
Manchester City’s incoming manager has been warned that English football will be tougher than ever next season – but Pellegrini is convinced his successor can handle the pressure of returning the club to title contention. West Ham United are playing their last ever home match at the Boleyn Ground after their 112 year stay at the stadium. Andre Ayew, who has scored three goals in his last two games, will look to continue his scoring streak against City.
But after Leicester’s shock title triumph this season, Pellegrini claims the Premier League is only going to get harder to win.
Pellegrini feels his players are justifying a seat at Europe’s top table and talked about his pride at his City achievements, having won the Premier League and two League Cup in his three years at the Etihad Stadium.
Newcastle undoubtedly have more to play for, however, as they hope to secure their Premier League status.
One investor asked in the conference call how the club would cope with missing out on the top four.
Manchester City have disappointed in the league this season. The cherries are not in a good shape themselves as they have captured just one point from their last four games, and it seems like United will get the three points that they wish for. We have a different style of play now.
He said: “I think it was a successful season for a lot of reasons”. Yes that’s right, should City win and Arsenal lose to Villa, as unlikely as that is, City will overtake the Gunners into third place. Neil Taylor, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Ashley Williams and Lukasz Fabianski will not be on the manager’s disposal, while Jefferson Montero is doubtful. Both games will have a huge bearing on your fantasy football line-up choices this weekend as you need players in your team who are still fighting for something.
Woodward also made no mention of the Dutchman in an earlier statement to accompany the financial results, where he expresses satisfaction with the club’s performance on and off the field.
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“But also the second, perhaps greater, effect is the re-tooling that we’ve been undertaking in terms of the squad”.
