Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted the fight for a Champions League spot will be on till the final day of the season.
“I didn’t expect differently from a month ago, that it’s a fight until the end,” he said after his aide slipped following a goalless draw against already relegated Southampton on Saturday.
Manchester United and Tottenham meet in the Europa League final, with the winner qualifying for the Champions League.
That is another headache for Guardiola, who might see his City side get knocked off the Champions League spot for the first time in his managerial career.
Read also: Aston Villa edge Bournemouth to boost Champions League hopes
City could have taken a huge step towards sealing a top-five spot, but dropped points against rock bottom Southampton.
City are now only two points above Newcastle and Chelsea who meet on Sunday, plus Aston Villa that beat Bournemouth on Saturday evening.
Seventh-placed Nottingham Forest, who play relegated Leicester on Sunday, are four points behind City.
After the Saints draw, Guardiola said his side had three cup finals left – including next weekend’s actual FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.
City could find themselves outside the Champions League places before they play in the league again (against Bournemouth on Tuesday, 20 May) – because most of their rivals will have played once or twice before then.
Only champions Liverpool have sealed a Champions League place so far but second-placed Arsenal, who visit Anfield on Sunday, will hope to soon join them.
There will be nine Premier league teams competing in Europe next season – up from the usual seven – but things could change in the final weeks of the campaign.
Crystal Palace are 12th and would qualify for the Europa League if they win the FA Cup final.
Read also: Chelsea boost Champions League hopes with 3-1 win over Liverpool
Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth, and to a lesser extent Fulham, are all vying for eighth spot which might be enough.
The Bees are in eighth, above Albion on goal difference, two points ahead of the Cherries and four clear of the Cottagers.
“We have got the momentum which is important.
“We are close to finishing eighth, which would be the best position ever in the league. We are laser-focused on what we can do. We have given very little away but still created a lot.
“We just need to push and enjoy it, the next two games, and then reset our target,” Brentford manager Thomas Frank said after a 1-0 win at Ipswich.
