London: Manchester City’s 16-point lead atop the Premier League means the most intriguing battle looks to be who will finish as runners-up with Manchester United aiming to keep their grip on second place when they host Chelsea on Sunday.
Antonio Conte’s west London side have bounced back from two successive defeats to comfortably beat West Bromwich Albion in the league and secure an impressive 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the Champions League last 16, first leg on Tuesday.
United, meanwhile, were held to a goalless draw against Sevilla in Spain on Wednesday.
United owe their fans another great Champions League occasion at Old Trafford after a long absence from the knockout stages according to manager Jose Mourinho and he has pledged to give it to them against Sevilla.
The three-times European champions are obliged to win the return game if they are to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2014.
“We now have one match to decide everything at Old Trafford. For sure, Old Trafford misses knockout Champions League. So I think Old Trafford needs a big Champions League night, and that’s going to happen,” Mourinho said.
Mourinho defended his side’s cautious approach in the atmospheric Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, saying his team had controlled the game even though Sevilla created more chances.
“The only moment where we felt relieved was when they had a couple of chances and David (De Gea) made two great saves,” added Mourinho.
“That gave this fantastic stadium the emotion they normally have for 90 minutes. Apart from that, the game was even.”
Mourinho’s side, who suffered defeat by Newcastle United in their previous league outing, could be third by the time they welcome his former club to Old Trafford on Sunday.
Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool, only two points behind United, take on West Ham United on Saturday at Anfield having not lost at home in the league so far this season.
Chelsea can ill afford a poor result with the threat of finishing outside the Champions League qualifying places a real possibility for any of the sides immediately behind City.
Tottenham Hotspur, in fifth place and trailing Chelsea by a solitary point, travel to Crystal Palace earlier on Sunday.
