Manchester Metropolis are working out of time to safe Champions League soccer, however the path is something however simple.
Final weekend’s defeat at Nottingham Forest was one other reminder of how inconsistent Metropolis have been this season.
Supervisor Pep Guardiola admitted they ‘didn’t need to win’. With 9 league defeats already, they’re dangerously near recording their worst marketing campaign underneath his administration.
Saturday’s conflict with Brighton & Hove Albion isn’t just about getting again on observe. It’s about proving they nonetheless belong within the high 4 race.
Metropolis have dropped factors in 4 of their final eight house league matches, and one other defeat could be the primary time since 2021 that they’ve misplaced consecutive house video games underneath Guardiola.
Nevertheless, Metropolis have by no means misplaced a house recreation towards Brighton in 14 conferences, successful the final 10 in a row.
Brighton have received their final 4 league matches, the longest ongoing streak within the division.
Fabian Hurzeler’s facet are enjoying with out stress, regardless of sitting simply three factors exterior the highest 4.
He has insisted that Champions League qualification is ‘not within the dialogue’, however their performances inform a distinct story.
They’ve additionally been resilient on the highway, dropping simply two of their final 11 away video games in all competitions.
. “Brighton are top-of-the-line golf equipment on and off the pitch,” he stated.
“An distinctive younger supervisor who’s doing unbelievable issues. They need to be there.”
The hole to fourth place is simply two factors, however with Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa within the combine, dropping factors on Saturday could possibly be expensive for Metropolis.