Manchester City can hit one of Pep Guardiola's most important milestones for the season as early as this weekend.
The manager is tasked with winning every competition his team enters every year, and with six weeks of the campaign remaining they are in with a shout of winning an historic Treble. But while they will have to wait before getting their hands on silverware this season, one of Guardiola's primary objectives can be hit this weekend.
Not only are City closing in on top spot in the Premier League but they are almost mathematically clear of 16 other teams in the league. As soon as that happens, they will have clinched a place in the Champions League for next season.
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That could come as soon as this weekend, with Brighton the only team other than Newcastle and United capable of besting City's current points total. Three points for the Blues at Craven Cottage will be enough to make it mathematically impossible for Brighton to reach them, but if Roberto de Zerbi's men fail to beat Wolves on Saturday that will also be enough to get the champagne out.
Guardiola has long held that to be an important marker of one of the best teams in Europe, to be able to qualify consistently for the best club competition. Suggesting it could be even more significant than winning titles, the City boss promised to celebrate when the Blues reached the achievement.
“If we qualify for the Champions League next season, I’ll go to the best restaurant in Manchester and make the best dinner because it’s the best we can give to the club,” the Catalan during the last-16 tie with RB Leipzig this year.
“To be in the Champions League is sometimes more important than winning the Premier League.”
Qualification would also mean that City will have made it into 13 consecutive Champions League group stages, equalling the best that Chelsea have managed. United (18) and Arsenal (19) are the only English teams to have boasted more consistency in the modern era.
City also have two routes still available to them to make it into the first group for seeding for next year's competition. Pot 1 hosts the league winners from seven top countries including England, as well as the reigning Champions League winners; should Guardiola's side win the Premier League or make it past Real Madrid and emerge triumphant in Istanbul, they will again have given themselves the best chance of a favourable draw to make it through to the knockout rounds next year.
If City win or Brighton fail to this weekend, Tast may soon have a special guest.
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