Form guide & next six games after Real Madrid first leg

Man City’s search for a historic treble has entered crunch time, but this is when Pep Guardiola’s side typically perform at their apex.

The Citizens haven’t tasted defeat since February, and their imperious form has thrust them into pole position to secure their third-straight Premier League title after Arsenal led the way for so long. They’ve also got an all-Manchester FA Cup final to look forward to, as well as, potentially, the Champions League final in Istanbul.

Here’s what their run-in looks like to conclude what could be an unforgettable 2022/23 season.

Guardiola has rotated his pack in recent domestic outings with City’s schedule picking up in pace. However, the Sky Blues have continued to roll with Ilkay Gundogan starring in the 2-1 win over Leeds on Saturday.

That triumph at the Etihad was City’s tenth-straight in the Premier League, and they now sit a point ahead of Arsenal at the summit having played a game less. Success in the cups, meanwhile, has seen them progress into the last four of the Champions League as well as the FA Cup final.

They followed that win up with a very respectable draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash with Real Madrid.

City will play in just their second FA Cup final under Guardiola against Man Utd at the start of June after easing past Sheffield Utd in their semi-final.

Everton are fighting for their lives at the foot of the table, and City’s Champions League commitments renders this a tricky fixture.

Sean Dyche will certainly have a plan up his sleeve to frustrate the visitors, but whether his players are able to successfully execute against Pep’s machine is another matter.

This is Everton’s penultimate game of the season in front of their home support.

It’s all to play for in the return leg at the Etihad next week following Tuesday’s first leg.

The Bernabeu played host to a melodramatic conclusion in this fixture last season, and the fact the second leg is taking place in Manchester undoubtedly aids their cause.

Many expect the winner of this tie to beat whichever Milan club in the Champions League final.

Watch out, ladies and gentlemen, here come Chelsea!

Victory for the Blues over Bournemouth at the weekend was certainly unexpected, but the triumph did secure the club’s Premier League status for at least another year. Nevertheless, Frank Lampard’s side remain one of the poorest in the division, and they were dismantled when they visited Arsenal last week.

You suspect City will wipe the floor with Chelsea.

This may well be the toughest fixture left on City’s Premier League schedule.

Brighton are vying for their first-ever European berth and they’ve still got an outside shot of a top-four finish. However, they’ve still got a lot of games to play over the next few weeks, and fatigue could play a role by the time they face City in their penultimate game of the campaign.

This should be a spectacle, nonetheless.

Guardiola’s side may well have been crowned champions by the time they visit Brentford on the final day of the season. They’ll likely need eight points from their final four games (presuming Arsenal win their last three).

Thus, victory over Brighton could win City their third successive Premier League title.

A trip to the Brentford Community Stadium will not be a walk in the park for the Citizens, so Pep will undoubtedly want the title wrapped up ASAP.

The second phase of a potential treble.

Victory over Brighton on penalties for Man Utd set up the first-ever all-Manchester FA Cup final after City breezed past Sheffield Utd in their semi.

The Citizens will enter the contest as favourites, but Pep might be having a Champions League final to think about, too.

The spoils were shared in their two league meetings this season as United won 2-1 at Old Trafford after City thumped their city rivals 6-3 in the first clash.