Pep Guardiola has told his Manchester City players they must not lose focus with the Premier League title so close.
A win for City away to fourth-bottom Brighton on Sunday will see Guardiola’s side pip Liverpool to the crown, and become the first side to retain it since local rivals Manchester United did so a decade ago. Premier League.
The Blues are favourites to claim a 14th straight Premier League win and be crowned champions with 98 points in the most relentless title race of the modern era.
But Guardiola knows Brighton is a tricky game for them to navigate, despite the fact Chris Hughton’s side have already been assured of a place in the Premier League next season thanks to bitter rivals Crystal Palace beating Cardiff last Saturday.
City have beaten the Seagulls in both meetings this season but neither was a runaway win, triumphing 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium in September and then 1-0 in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley last month.
Against that backdrop, and with Liverpool hosting Wolves at Anfield simultaneously in a game Jurgen Klopp’s bck-to-back Champions League finalists are expected to win, Guardiola has called for one last push to cross the finish line first.
“The players are mature and know we have one more game left,” he said. “Brighton got a result [a 1-1 draw] in the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal in their last game. We played them in the FA Cup, so we know how tough it will be.
"They are strong with set-pieces, but it’s in our hands.
“We were seven points behind Liverpool at one stage. We’re not far away now [from securing the title] and I’m so proud of my players.”
Fernandinho, who has missed the last three games with a knee injury, could return, but fellow midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, is unlikely to feature as he continues to recover from a hamstring problem.
City have already retained the League Cup this season and can also win the FA Cup when they face Watford at Wembley in the May 18 final.
