Manchester City faces nine games in 31 days. This means Guardiola’s side will play a game every three-and-a-half days in February and March.
City’s home match with West Ham United shifted from last Sunday to 19th February due to Storm Ciara. As well, the home clash with Arsenal shifted. Contrarily, Guardiola faces selection dilemmas as he chases success both domestically and in Europe.
From February 19 to March 21, City has nine games scheduled. A game roughly every three-and-a-half days.
Sitting 22 points off the leaders, Guardiola has already conceded the Premier League title to Liverpool. To him, a Champions League spot is looking likely.
As per the rules, clubs in the top four will be rewarded with a group stage spot in the Champions League. While Guardiola will want to finish as high as possible in the Premeir League, a slip in positions would not be overly detrimental.
City’s busy 31 days
City starts their manic periods against West Ham on 19th February before heading to Leicester on 22nd February. Four days later, they will face Real Madrid.
Following will be the Carabao Cup final after four days against Aston Villa at Wembley, a trip to Sheffield United on Wednesday in the FA Cup fifth round three days later.
There comes a short trip to Manchester United in the Premier League four days later then followed by a rare six-day gap before a home game with Burnley.
But that is just three days before the return leg against Real Madrid at the Etihad on 17th March.
The tough games do not stop there. There is a trip to Chelsea on 21st March and then a home clash with Liverpool after the international break on 4th April.
Will this speed up Liverpool’s crowning?
Guardiola will hope to keep injury problems to a minimum through this difficult period. He is also expected to dip into his reserves in the Premier League which may see Liverpool claim the title earlier than expected.
If Liverpool and City keep winning their Premeir League games, the Reds can win the title at Anfield against Crystal Palace on Saturday 21st March.
The very earliest Liverpool could win the title is at home against Bournemouth on 7th March. However, that would mean Liverpool winning all of their matches, City slipping up in all and Leicester beating City.