1Champions League picture any clearer?
The ‘mini-league’ of teams competing for a top four finish will not be resolved this weekend, but it could look a lot clearer by the time City, Liverpool and Arsenal have all finished their games.
The Blues will look to take maximum points against Leicester City in Saturday’s early kick-off, though Craig Shakespeare’s side go into the match as one of the nation’s form teams.
Arsenal and Liverpool both play away and face potentially tricky tests. Liverpool face a revitalised West Ham with the Hammers still able to finish as high as eighth in the table.
Fresh from the 1-0 win over Tottenham, the London Stadium will be full and in good voice for the last home game of the season and they will be desperate to end on a high.
The Gunners must overcome a Stoke City side who could easily finish the campaign two places above the relegation zone – two wins and they could also finish as high as eighth so there’s plenty at stake for the Potters.
Arsenal traditionally finish with a sprint to the finish line so whoever is motivated more is likely to take the spoils.
Should either Liverpool or Arsenal falter and City win, the Blues would be able to secure qualification with a win over West Brom on Tuesday, but with so many permutations, we’ll have to wait until around 4pm on Sunday following the completion of Liverpool’s game.
2Pep to play Sergio and Gabriel?
Sergio Aguero has been training this week and looks set to return against Leicester City.
The 31-goal top-scorer would almost certainly have added to his season’s tally last weekend against Palace had he been playing and will be keen to end an excellent campaign on a high.
Sergio needs three more goals to equal his best-ever for City and four to set a new landmark – if he is fit and starts.
Pep Guardiola hinted he wanted to play both Aguero and in some of the remaining games with goal difference possibly a deciding factor in Champions League qualification.
The pair started together against Middlesbrough and both scored, so will we see an all-South American attack against the Foxes? We’ll have to wait and see…
3Yaya’s double celebration?
Yaya Toure celebrates his 34th birthday tomorrow on the fifth anniversary of City’s epic 2012 title triumph against QPR.
The Ivorian will make his 297th appearance for the Blues if he plays and he will be looking to end the season on a high after an impressive campaign.
4Historic weekend?
As mentioned, it’s the fifth anniversary of the Agueroooooo! goal on Saturday, so how fitting would it be if Manchester City Women could secure a first FA Cup triumph on the same day?
Nick Cushing’s side will take on Birmingham City after the Blues’ have played Leicester, so fingers crossed that the Super League champions can bring home the trophy and create their own special memory on this special date.
