Manchester City will have to win the Premier League title the hard way after their games against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth were scheduled for either side of the FA Cup final.
Pep Guardiola’s men, who are currently three points behind Arsenal in the title race having played one game fewer, face six games in 21 days, and four in 11, as they look to complete the domestic treble having already won the EFL Cup.
The FA Cup semi-final win over Southampton on Saturday ensured they faced a frenetic end to the campaign with the Wembley clash with Chelsea scheduled for May 16.
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City’s remaining fixtures
- May 4: Everton (a)
- May 9: Brentford (h)
- May 13: Crystal Palace (h)
- May 16: FA Cup final v Chelsea (Wembley)
- May 19: Bournemouth (a)
- May 24: Aston Villa (h)
City wanted different scheduling
It is unlikely City will be happy at today’s announcement.
According to reports, they were eager to face Bournemouth on May 12 and Palace on May 19, a scenario that would have given them more time to prepare for the FA Cup final and ensure their final two league games were at the Etihad.
The BBC claim several clubs raised objections to City’s attempts to manipulate the fixture list to their advantage.
Arsenal have also had one fixture moved, their final home game of the season against relegated Burnley. That match was originally scheduled for Sunday, May 17 but has been put back to the following day with an 8pm kick-off.
The Gunners also have six games remaining, although that could end up being seven, albeit over a longer period of time than City. Mikel Arteta’s side face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tomorrow with the return next Tuesday at the Emirates.
In between, they host Fulham before league games against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace.
If they get past Atletico Madrid, Arsenal will play either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in Budapest on May 30.
Arsenal’s remaining fixtures
- Apr 29: Atletico Madrid (a)
- May 2: Fulham (h)
- May 5: Atletico Madrid (h)
- May 10: West Ham (a)
- May 18: Burnley (h)
- May 24: Crystal Palace (a)
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