Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany does not expect Pep Guardiola's side to qualify for next season's Champions League if they lose at home to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.
After winning an unprecedented fourth consecutive top-flight title last season, the Citizens find themselves involved in a hotly-contested battle to secure Champions League football for 2025-26.
A top-five finish is now officially enough to achieve that following Arsenal's impressive victory over Real Madrid in midweek, and Man City currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, one point behind both Chelsea in fourth and Newcastle United in fifth, the latter of whom have a game in hand.
Man City, who played out a dull 0-0 draw with rivals Manchester United last weekend, have seven games remaining to push themselves back into the top five, and four of their next five fixtures are against bottom-half teams, starting with Saturday's clash with 11th-placed Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium.
The Eagles have given the Citizens problems in recent encounters, with Guardiola's side failing to win seven of their last 16 Premier League meetings (W9 D5 L2) including a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park earlier this season in which City were forced to come from behind twice to rescue a point.
McInerney is expecting another "difficult" contest for Man City this weekend and has insisted that it is "an absolute must-win" for Guardiola and co if they wish to take a seat at Europe's top table next season.
Champions League-chasing Man City must beat Crystal Palace
"We have to win this game. It's an absolute must-win, truly a must-win game," McInerney told Sports Mole. "I would go as far as saying if we do not, if we lose this game against Palace, I would expect us not to get Champions League football.
"It's an absolute crucial game of football and I think it's going be difficult. If we play [the same lineup that started against Man United] we'll struggle. [Palace will] run rings round us, they'll be more physical, they'll be more assertive. If we play a slightly different one that we've seen over the past few weeks, we'll have a chance."
Asked if City will be in for another tricky test against Oliver Glasner's Palace, who play with a similar formation to their previous opponents Man United, McInerney said: "Absolutely, these are a better version of what United is trying to do right now.
"They're a team who have threats out wide. [Daniel] Munoz has been excellent for them. A real goal threat with intense aggression and hunger to get forward.
"Eberechi Eze. I don't think he's a [Kevin] De Bruyne replacement, but I think he's a cracking player. I think he will give City trouble. And the midfield, Adam Wharton is a player I'd take at Manchester City. I think he's a brilliant footballer. [Jean-Philippe] Mateta's the exact kind of player who will score against this City side.
"They're just a really good side and are coached well. They had a great end to last season [before starting] poorly this year [but] they found a bit of form again and they will come to the Etihad absolutely fearless.
"I am expecting this to be difficult. I'm sure it's going to be really difficult and I'm hoping we'll see changes from City."
© Imago
Will Pep recall Savinho, Khusanov, Gonzalez for Palace clash?
After watching the 'worst ever' Manchester derby last time out, McInerney is hoping that Guardiola will recall the likes of Savinho, Abdukodir Khusanov and Nico Gonzalez to his starting lineup and believes that Mateta and Wharton, in particular, are two Palace players City must keep an eye on.
He added: "As much as Guardiola said he was happy with [the performance against Man United], I'd be amazed given how Palace play if there aren't changes (from City), if Savinho isn't back in the side, if Khusanov isn't back in the side...I think we'll see Nico Gonzalez back because I think we need the physicality.
"I'd like Khusanov to come in. I think he'd really suit the battle [with Mateta, who] is thriving right now. He's having a really good spell at Palace. He took a while to get going at Palace, but in the last couple of seasons he's been a regular goalscorer.
"Mateta is going to be one [City need] to stop. For me it's Wharton as well. I really love Adam Wharton. I think he's such a wonderful player.
"I think he reminds me a lot of Michael Johnson actually, a throwback from 20 years ago for City fans. A really good footballer, so those two are the ones I will keep an eye on particularly."
Press play on the video at the top of this article to hear the full discussion ahead of Man City's clash with Crystal Palace.
Oliver Thomas
