Pep Guardiola is “absolutely confident” that Manchester City is again eligible for the Champions League.
City Face Face Bournemouth on Tuesday in their last Home Premier League match of an underwhelming season.
They are in the sixth, one place and one point behind Aston Villa, who currently occupy the last qualifying place of Champions League, although they have a competition in hand.
City was beaten 1-0 on Saturday by Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final, although that did not damp the confidence of Guardiola.
“I think we are eligible. My thoughts and the way I think – I think. We need four points. That is the most important target. I am absolutely [confident of qualifying]”He said, as quoted by BBC Sport.
“It's important. The last 13 or 14 or 15 years we want to be in the Champions League, but if we are not there, we don't deserve it and we will be in the Europa League. It is what it is.”
The match will also be Kevin De Bruyne's last home game for the club and Guardiola suggested that the midfielder gets what he deserves when he is asked if he will start after playing the full match against Palace on Saturday.
“We want to win the game so that we can be eligible for the Champions League next season – this is what Kevin wants, it can't be different,” Guardiola said.
“I'm going to decide what is best for us to win the match against Bournemouth, that's for sure.
“Kevin will get what he deserves, and what he deserves is the best moment and the best compliment for his incredible process.
“What he did, along with a number of incredible other legends in this club, will not be possible in the 10 to 15 years since Sheik Mansour took over the club and run this club to reach a different level.”
Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola applied some perspective to the Cherries's own hunt for a place in Europe, while congratulating the Palace on winning the FA Cup.
The Cherries are 11th and have to draw up the two points of Brentford with eighth place, while she also hopes that Chelsea wins the Conference League and seventh or Newcastle United finishes sixth.
“Even if it means that we now have fewer opportunities to be eligible for Europe, I think we should congratulate Palace because a team that is not the six/eight teams are fighting for titles that win a title such as the FA Cup is good for the competition and for football,” Iraola said.
“We are playing against City in a match where they have to play for Champions League [qualification]. It is not the scenario you want, but it is the one we have now and we have to try to go there and play our game.
“It is true that after the FA Cup final the chances of coming in Europe are very limited.”
One last home game
#Asahisuperdry pic.twitter.com/glkvgf0zf6
– Manchester City (@Mancity) May 18, 2025
Players to watch
Manchester City – Kevin De Bruyne
De Bruyne was directly involved in seven goals in his nine Premier League start against Bournemouth (three goals, four assists).
When he plays, this will be his 142nd and final competition view in the Etihad Stadium, where only David Silva (160) plays more on the ground in the top flight.
Bournemouth – Evanilson
Evanilson scored six goals in his last nine Premier League start for Bournemouth, including five in his last five.
The Brazilian has scored 12 goals this season in all competitions, including eight in his last 14 performances.
Match forecast: Profit from Manchester City
City has won all seven of their Premier League matches against Bournemouth – Only Arsenal (10 vs Stoke) and Manchester United (8 vs Wigan) have a better 100% home win rate against an opponent in the competition.
Prior to the 2-1 victory of Bournemouth at home in the city in November, they had taken two points of their 20 previous league meetings against them.
City has won their last Home League match in 10 of the last 11 seasons (D1), including each of the last eight. Their last defeat came in the 2012-13 campaign against Norwich (2-3).
In the meantime, Bournemouth has lost their final -road competition in the two seasons.
City comes here in the back of an unbeaten run of eight games in the Premier League (W5 D3), while they also won four of their last five games.
Opta wins probability
Manchester City – 59.8%
Drawing – 20.4%
Southampton – 19.8%