Finishing in the top four is now the aim for Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City take on Everton later today in a pivotal Premier League fixture. For Pep Guardiola’s side, they’ll be desperate to pick up three points to get back to winning ways. But in the scheme of City’s season, a win could prove to be crucial in their push to claim a top-four finish. Qualifying for the UEFA Champions League is a must for Manchester City. Although nothing is decided on the Premier League title race just yet, Pep Guardiola’s side must simply aim for a top-four finish at this stage.

As it stands currently the Premier League champions sit 7th in the Premier League table. They are currently 4 points behind Nottingham Forest who sit fourth. With 21 games left to play that is far from an insurmountable gap. But with one win in their past twelve games in all competitions any gap on the table feels massive for Pep Guardiola’s side. But to claim a top-four finish Manchester City must snap out of their funk. That must begin today against Everton at the Etihad Stadium.

Speaking before his team’s clash with Everton Pep Guardiola was asked about the challenge of finishing in the top-four this season. He explained: “Yeah, financially it’s an issue, of course it is. But it’s not just that. When I said this before, the people laughed. Yeah, it’s presumptuous, you know. Winning the Premier League and I said, ‘Ah the Champions League is a big success’, I know it is!

“Because it happened in the clubs in this country for many, many years like they were dominant in this club and after had been many, many years not qualifying for the Champions League. I think the only team has been 11 or 12 years being in the Champions League every season has been Man City.

“Now we are at risk (of not qualifying), of course we are! Definitely, we are. We have to get points and win games and games, otherwise we will not qualify for the Champions League. If we don’t qualify, it’s because we don’t deserve it.”

From here finishing in the top-four is a must for Manchester City. It is simply a minimum requirement for Pep Guardiola’s side. Yes this season has been a struggle at times for the Premier League champions but they have the quality to snap back into form. That must begin today against Everton at the Etihad. If it does it will aid City’s chase for a top-four finish this season. They will not want to fall too far behind the teams above them in what could be a tight season in the battle for the Champions League places over the second half of the season.