Manchester City are still reaching out for another realm of immortality.
Pep Guardiola’s men want to become the first team in Premier League history to win the Treble back to back.
And their next five fixtures will bring clarity to that matter.
It begins with the visit of Manchester United on Sunday. On Wednesday, they will most definitely wrap up qualification for the Champions League quarter-final when FC Copenhagen are in town.
Back in the league, it is leaders Liverpool (A), Newcastle (H), Arsenal (H) and Aston Villa (H).
Although Guardiola probably has the fixtures for the rest of the campaign embedded in his brain, his focus will be on the Derby.
United have traditionally been a tricky fixture for City. It is always control against chaos.
But this is their chance to make a statement. While the champions have won eight of their last 10 league games, recent wins against Brentford and Bournemouth have come by only a single goal.
Of the top three teams, it is City who have the smallest goal difference.
Also, Liverpool’s last gasp-win at Nottingham Forest on Saturday means City are four points off the pace at the top heading into this match, before they travel to Anfield next weekend.
For the Red Devils, it is not just pride at stake. They would be looking to bounce back from a 2-1 home defeat to Fulham, which ended a four-game winning run.
Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are beginning to pull away in the race to finish in Champions League places and United need to stay close.
Man City have won four of their last five Premier League meetings with United (one defeat), as many victories as they managed in their previous 13 against them (three draws, six losses).
Although the odds are in favour of the hosts, prepare for anything.
EPL: Man City’s need for momentum, United fighting for pride [Preview]
