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Is this the end of Manchester City’s Champions League journey? Qualification only a miracle away

The Sky Blues have two critical games left: against Bournemouth on May 20 and Fulham on May 25.
© STU FORSTERThe Sky Blues have two critical games left: against Bournemouth on May 20 and Fulham on May 25.

With just two games left for Manchester City and only one remaining for their direct rivals in the race for European spots, the Sky Blues are in a critical situation: they could miss out on both the Champions League and Europa League if they fail to pick up points in their final matches.

City currently sits in sixth place in the Premier League with 65 points—outside the top five, which secure direct qualification to the Champions League. What’s more, their Europa League spot isn’t guaranteed either. Manchester United and Tottenham are set to face off in the final of a continental tournament, and the winner will clinch a Champions League spot.

The teams that could edge out Manchester City are:

  • Newcastle (66 points)
  • Chelsea (66 points)
  • Aston Villa (66 points)
  • Nottingham Forest (65 points)

If City fails to earn at least four points from their final two matches, they risk being overtaken and missing out on European competition altogether.

Manchester City’s remaining fixtures

City’s final two matches are make-or-break:

  1. vs. Bournemouth (Tuesday, May 20)
  2. vs. Fulham (Sunday, May 25)

A loss to Bournemouth would put them in a must-win scenario for the final game.

Guardiola’s take

Pep Guardiola has acknowledged the tough spot his team is in, stating that if City fails to qualify, it will be because they didn’t deserve it. Still, the Spanish manager remains confident that his squad can collect the necessary points to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League.

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