Pep Guardiola fears Manchester City will not be champions if they lose to Leicester

Manchester City look to close gap on leaders Arsenal and revive title hopes

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insisted he has no issues with star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne. AFP

Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players that a defeat against Leicester on Saturday could end their hopes of winning the Premier League title.

Guardiola's side host Leicester knowing a victory would close the gap on leaders Arsenal to three points.

But the City manager is convinced Arsenal will not slip up again after last weekend's 2-2 draw at Liverpool gave the champions renewed hope of a fifth title in six seasons.

The City manager said: "Everybody knows that if we lose games we lose competitions. That's why our attention to details is higher.

"It's the same tomorrow - if we lose the game, we will not be champions. If we win we could still be there.

"But we cannot forget, we are six points behind Arsenal, a team who have dropped few points during the season and have one game a week, with a lot of time for recovery, to analyse and prepare for games.

"It's so difficult if you drop points. That's why you have to be there as much as possible."

While Arsenal have just their eight remaining Premier League games to play this season, City are still involved in other competitions.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland scores their third goal in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich at the Etihad Stadium on April 11, 2023. AFP

Erling Haaland scores Manchester City's third goal. Getty

Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring the third. AP

Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates the third goal. Reuters

Manchester City's Bernardo Silva scores their second goal. Reuters

Manchester City's Bernardo Silva celebrates after scoring the second goal. AP

Manchester City's Rodri celebrates after scoring his team's first goal. Getty

Manchester City's Rodri scores his side's opening goal against Bayern Munich. AP

Manchester City's Rodri celebrates his opener. Getty

Bayern's Leroy Sane shoots. AP

Manchester City's Ederson saves from Bayern Munich's Leroy Sane. Reuters

Manchester City's Ruben Dias attempts a shot. AFP

Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich takes on Rodri of Manchester City. Getty

Erling Haaland of Manchester City shoots. EPA

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne takes on Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard and Leroy Sane. AFP

Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt goes down injured. Reuters

Dayot Upamecano of Bayern Munich argues with referee Jesus Gil Manzano. EPA

Bayern keeper Yann Sommer clears from Jack Grealish. Getty

Jack Grealish of Manchester City lies injured. EPA

Manchester City's Nathan Ake and Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman. PA

Manchester City's Jack Grealish in action with Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard. Reuters

Bayern's goalkeeper Yann Sommer clears the ball as Manchester City's Jack Grealish closes in. AP

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Yann Sommer throws a smoke bomb from his goalmouth. AFP

Manchester City's Jack Grealish and Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard. PA

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola talks to Manuel Akanji. AFP

Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel. Reuters

Erling Haaland of Manchester City in action against Dayot Upamecano of Bayern. EPA

Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City fights for possession with Joshua Kimmich of Bayern. Getty

Erling Haaland of Manchester City shoots. Getty

Manchester City's Nathan Ake and Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman battle for the ball. PA

Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan tangles with Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich. Reuters

City will defend a 3-0 lead in the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich and face Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-finals, before hosting Arsenal in a crucial league clash on April 26.

Guardiola's side have coped well with heavy schedules in the past and he hopes they can use it to their advantage.

"Sometimes our experience, when we are playing games every three days, every four days, we are in rhythm and focus and that helps us," he said. "In the past it was like that, playing competitions until the end.

"Sometimes when you have a week between games you lose this type of feeling."

Meanwhile, Guardiola denied he had an issue with Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgium playmaker looked frustrated at being substituted during their Champions League match against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

He said: "It's normal. It's not the first time it has happened in modern football, it has happened in all other clubs. It will happen in the future.

"I understand completely. Everyone wants to play but in the right moments I try to do the best to win the game."

City are still without midfielder Phil Foden, who is not yet back in training after appendix surgery last month.