Manchester City take on Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Sunday afternoon knowing that victory will be enough to earn their second successive Premier League title.
Brighton have secured their top-flight status for another 12 months, but maximum points are required to end the campaign higher than 17th position in the standings.
Brighton & Hove Albion
© Reuters
Chris Hughton will be disappointed that his side have failed to improve on last year's solid debut campaign in the Premier League, but the Seagulls boss will at least take heart from how his players have responded when faced with a relegation battle.
The 2-0 defeat to Cardiff City - their fourth successive setback in the Premier League - left their nearest rivals within touching distance of survival, while Brighton were left to contemplate the toughest run-in of any team in the top flight.
However, three draws from four games have proven enough to keep the club above the bottom three, with two of their points coming from away fixtures at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal.
Brighton were also unfortunate to suffer a late defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, but it was another performance that will suggest to Hughton that he still has a united squad at the Amex Stadium.
The biggest factor during this campaign appears to be complacency, with Brighton having made a habit of recording an impressive run of results immediately after ending a multiple-game winless streak.
Goals have also proven to be a major problem for Brighton, however, and only one strike has been recorded from open play since the away game at Crystal Palace on March 9.
Glenn Murray has netted 12 of their 34 goals this season, but Hughton knows that it is imperative that a long-term replacement is found for a player who turns 36 years of age in September.
Hughton will also need to win the battle to keep Lewis Dunk in the centre of his backline, but the foundations are already there for a better third year in the Premier League providing that there is a mentality change on the south coast.
Recent form: LLDLDD
Manchester City
© Reuters
Man City have put themselves on the brink of a successful title defence, but Pep Guardiola is aware that the club are only one bad result from being left to contemplate a disappointing campaign.
City still have the opportunity to add the FA Cup to their EFL Cup success regardless of what happens on Sunday, but the club will be left feeling deflated if they cannot end the season with either the Premier League or Champions League.
The level of investment at City since Guardiola's arrival has only raised expectations at the Etihad Stadium, and losing their grasp of the top-flight crown would be considered a significant blow.
However, City do still find themselves in the box seat, and the manner of their 1-0 victory over Leicester City on Monday night will only further motivate the Spaniard's squad.
City struggled for large parts against a Foxes side who were relishing the opportunity to show that they are more than just an offensive side, but Vincent Kompany's 25-yard winner produced one of the moments of any season in recent years.
The Belgian's wonder strike was just City's fifth goal in their last four outings, but it has now been over seven Premier League fixtures since Guardiola's team conceded a goal from open play.
City have become known for their record in the final third of the pitch, but their improvement in defence is what has arguably led to their one-point advantage heading into the weekend.
The North-West giants cannot match their points total or number of goals scored from last season, but Guardiola would undoubtedly value winning this season's Premier League title towards the top of his list of achievements should City get over the line.
Recent form: WWWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWWW
Team News
© Reuters
Kevin De Bruyne is available again after a hamstring injury, but the Belgian may be kept on the substitutes' bench.
Fernandinho will play no part in the contest due to a knee problem, and Benjamin Mendy will also sit out the fixture on the south coast.
Guardiola could decide to name the same starting lineup, although Bernardo Silva will move inside should Leroy Sane replace Phil Foden.
Hughton must decide whether to hand a final Brighton start to Bruno, who has announced that he will retire after Sunday's game.
Davy Propper and Jose Izquierdo will play no part in the match as they continue to recover from injury.
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Ryan; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bernardo; Stephens, Bissouma; Knockaert, Gross, March; Murray
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Zinchenko; Foden, Gundogan, D.Silva; B.Silva, Aguero, Sterling
Head To Head
Sunday's meeting will represent just the 22nd competitive contest between the two sides, with City registering 12 wins in comparison to five victories for Brighton.
City have prevailed in all four meetings since Brighton earned promotion in 2017, which includes the narrow success in the FA Cup semi-finals last month.
Brighton last defeated City over 90 minutes when emerging victorious by a 2-1 scoreline in a Division Two fixture back in 1989.
We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 0-3 Manchester City
Brighton have performed admirably against the likes of Spurs and Arsenal in recent weeks, but we think that it will be one-way traffic in City's favour this weekend. The Seagulls may keep City out during the early stages of the contest, but expect the visitors to run riot if they can find a breakthrough.
No Data Analysis info
