Nigel de Jong has admitted Manchester City will not accept a season without a trophy.
The Eastlands outfit’s premier league odds slipped last weekend when were surpassed by Manchester Unitedin the table after City lost at Swansea while United beat West Brom. United lead the race for the title by one point with 10 games outstanding.
City’s only other hope of silverware is in the Europa League, where they currently have a 1-0 first leg deficit to overturn against Sporting Lisbon.
City won their first trophy major trophy in 35 years last season by clinching the FA Cup and De Jong admits this has given the North West side a taste of silverware.
Sporting have had a poor season this year, sitting fourth in the Primera Liga. They have only conceded 17 goals in the top flight this season though and defended resolutely against City in Portugal. However, City are unbeaten at Eastlands in the league this season and are favoured in the football betting to progress to the next round having scored 69 goals at home in the top flight this season.
Looking at the Premier League, it is clear that the destination of the title is most likely to be decided on 30 April when City host United. Being at home gives City a huge advantage, particularly in light of their record at Eastlands, but United have experience of dealing with high pressure situations and the crowd’s expectations could count against Roberto Mancini’s men.
However, as Swansea proved on Sunday, there could be many more twists and turns in the title race ahead. United’s remaining fixtures are all games they should win, coming as they do against mid-table or relegation threatened sides. City meanwhile still have to play a resurgent Chelsea and an Arsenal outfit battling for fourth spot in the top flight.
With the knockout format of the Europa League being far from easy to predict, there is all likelihood that De Jong will have to accept the unacceptable.
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