Manchester City could miss out on a top-four finish (Image: Getty)
Manchester City fans are feeling increasingly pessimistic about their chances of finishing in the top four this season, according to a new Express Sport poll.
The champions brought an end to their eight-game winless run with a 2-0 victory away at Leicester City on Saturday, with Erling Haaland ending his goal drought.
But Pep Guardiola’s men are still some way off the top and will start 2025 outside of the Champions League qualification places, with Liverpool runaway leaders after 19 games.
Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle are all still above City in the league table, which may give their supporters concerns over whether they will be able to qualify for the Champions League next season.
The top five places are awarded for Europe’s premier club competition and their current form would suggest it may be difficult for the 2022-23 winners to qualify for the competition next season.
That pessimism appears to be shared by City supporters after an alarming dip in form.
When asked if their team would finish in the top four this season, 55 per cent of participants voted ‘No’, highlighting the lack of belief in Guardiola’s side, who have won the title four times in a row.
Pep Guardiola’s side have been on a dreadful run of form (Image: Getty)
City are only four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in the standings after Enzo Maresca’s men lost 2-0 against Ipswich Town at Portman Road, which may give them renewed hope of keeping up the chase.
Guardiola has already ruled out challenging for the title, with a 14-point gap to bridge to leaders Liverpool and only 19 games to do so.
But the Catalan coach, 54, knows his side can bounce back in 2025 after a poor end to the year, especially if key player Rodri returns in the second half of the season.
Erling Haaland scored in the 2-0 win over Leicester (Image: Getty)
“Hopefully the new year can help us bounce back,” Guardiola said. “It is not enjoyable right now, it is just relief. We have done incredible things for many years. It is not the best.”
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, he added: “We are far away from winning the Premier League. We accept there’s already no chance of that but we have other things to fight for: FA Cup, top four… and winning games helps.”
However, it does seem that their fans are certain Manchester will be blue this season, with an overwhelming 87 per cent believing that City will finish above Manchester United in the table.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1994592/Man-City-Champions-League-top-four-finish