Man City snubbed by Premier League as fixture request rejected in title increase to Arsenal
Manchester City are set to face four games in just 12 days to close out the season after the Premier League declined to approve their request for a revised schedule
Manchester City have had their fixture request to the Premier League rejected(Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA, Getty Images)
Manchester City appear set to tackle four matches in 12 days to conclude the season after the Premier League rejected their plea for a more favourable fixture list.
Pep Guardiola’s team, who are locked in a tight battle with Arsenal for the title, recently secured their place in the FA Cup final (Saturday, May 16), forcing their away clash with Bournemouth to be rearranged. City were already scheduled to welcome Crystal Palace on Wednesday, May 13, leaving them with minimal recovery time before the final. Palace cannot feature on the Tuesday owing to their Conference League obligations, which meant their encounter with Everton had to be shifted to Sunday, May 10 in the latest round of fixture changes.
It was revealed that Etihad bosses had approached the Premier League to switch the sequence of their matches against Palace and Bournemouth, hoping to play Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday/Wednesday, Sunday to wrap up the campaign. But it is understood the Premier League have maintained their position, giving priority to the first fixture in the original timetable.
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City were scheduled to meet Palace on the weekend of April 4 until they progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals. Due to the Eagles’ European involvement, the fixture has remained TBC for weeks.
That changes now, with the Premier League poised to confirm kick-off times for outstanding fixtures today. City are expected to be required to visit Bournemouth on Tuesday, May 19 at 7:30pm. The fixture could have taken place on the Wednesday, the same evening as the Europa League final which will feature either Aston Villa or Nottingham Forest. UEFA, however, were opposed to a scheduling conflict.
Also on the Tuesday night, it is understood fellow FA Cup finalists Chelsea have been arranged to meet Tottenham for an 8:15pm kick-off. Arsenal, meanwhile, are due to face Burnley in their final home match of the campaign at 8pm on Monday, May 18.
Given their congested schedule, Guardiola has encouraged his players to maximise their break. “We have eight days until we go to Liverpool to play against Everton,” the City boss said after Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Southampton.
“They can do whatever they want. If they want to travel to wherever, they are completely free. As long as they arrive back on Wednesday afternoon for training.
“I’ve learned in this country, as much [sic] days off [as you have], the team plays better. Managers believe as much [as] you train, you play better, but I’m completely the opposite.
“You have to train, of course, but you also have to arrive fresh in the moment of the game. I’ve learned that. In the beginning I trained a lot, but now it’s home and quality time.”
