Tightrope between success and despair has never been finer for City Manchester Correspondent | James Robson Remember Vincent Kompany’s rocket? It was only Monday. But in a week that produced back-to-back nights of the most incredible unscripted drama, it has been reduced to little more than a footnote. Kompany’s 30-yard screamer pushed Manchester City to the brink of a second successive Premier League title. Victory on Sunday at Brighton will see Pep Guardiola’s side record a combined total of 198 points over two years of unparalleled consistency that may have forever altered what it means to be champions of England. Photo: EPA Conversely, the unlikeliest of slip-ups on the south coast and that same team could be consigned to also-rans in the annals of history – the closest eye-witnesses to Liverpool’s long-awaited reclaiming of the throne and just the latest generation of City players to fail to successfully defend their crown. It sounds harsh – but those are the stakes. And even if Guardiola was somewhat sniffy in his assessment of how his team will be remembered if they just fall short, it wasn’t without foundation as he prepares for the finale of the title race. “It’s normal,” said the City manager. “I’m not going to change my opinion of what we have done. But of course, to get more credit, you have to win. “We saw in the Champions League, when you are out, everybody destroyed the teams, destroyed managers, destroyed clubs. “We know in the life in which we live, I know we will be judged. We have to win.” Whichever team ultimately misses out, they can consider themselves desperately unfortunate, having already recorded more points than any other runner-up in history. But while Liverpool can console themselves with the thought of a Champions League final on the horizon, as well as the enormous strides they’ve made to close the gap on City, Guardiola will find crumbs of comfort harder to come by. This is not a squad that was assembled to finish second. This was a season when domestic dominance was expected to be transferred to Europe – not usurped on the home front. It is galling enough for those of a City persuasion to see two domestic rivals in Liverpool and Tottenham compete to be crowned champions of Europe – let alone see Jurgen Klopp wrest the Premier League title away from the Etihad. This was supposed to be City’s era. A time when Sheikh Mansour’s investment would truly see them rule English football after the missed opportunities under Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini. And while there could be no sense of standards slipping if their title is not retained on Sunday, in black and white, that’s precisely how it would appear. Which is why, in terms of City’s legacy and the historical significance of this team, it is vital they get over the line. Just as it was critical last year’s champions seized the moniker of ‘centurions’ in order to fully endorse the sheer brilliance of their title triumph, a successful defence would underline this period of dominance and create a platform for a potential dynasty. Arsene Wenger had two double wins at Arsenal and the ‘Invincibles,’ but never retained the title. Should Guardiola manage it in a year when both European finals will be contested exclusively by English clubs, it would only add to the weight of the achievement – and that’s before even considering the possibility of a domestic treble if they can beat Watford in the FA Cup Final next weekend. From potentially slipping 10 points behind Liverpool at the turn of the year, to being within 90 minutes of lifting the title, City are on the cusp of greatness. “First of all it’s a dream to be here,” added Guardiola. “I didn’t expect it when we were seven points behind against this Liverpool to be in the position we are now. “So that’s why it’s a dream come true. We’ve shown many things, but now is not the moment to say how well we’ve done - we have the chance to be champions if we win our game and that’s what we have to do. “If we make it back to back titles it would be nice, but nothing is going to change too much. The fact we have done incredibly well all season in all competitions and now have two games - two finals - for two titles.”<doc-sep>Get the biggest City stories, analysis and transfer updates delivered straight to your inbox Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Riyad Mahrez starts in Manchester City's Premier League finale against Brighton. The Algeria winger has not featured in any of City's previous five league games but returns to the side as Kevin De Bruyne is named on the bench. The Blues will retain the title for the first time in their history with victory on the south coast - regardless of the outcome of second-placed Liverpool's game against Wolves. Mahrez for Phil Foden is the one change made by City boss Pep Guardiola from Monday night's 1-0 victory against Leicester at the Etihad, where Kompany's 30-yard strike broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion. Liverpool sit a point behind City but Guardiola says he feels no nerves going into the final day. "I am so happy," he said. "No nerves at all. I was nervous before Liverpool, seven points behind, and we could be 10 points behind. "Not now, no way. I sleep like a little boy. It is a dream, a privilege. I love it. The whole of England will be watching, probably Europe. There is no top four, no relegation issues. "We want to show our game, to our incredible fans coming to support us, dreaming to win the Premier League again. It is a joy to be here in front of you, in front of the players, then Sunday: 'Go out and play like you have done in the last two seasons. Be yourself and whatever happens, it is incredible what you have done.' That’s it." Today's top Manchester City stories<doc-sep>Everything you need to know ahead of the Premier League clash at the Amex Stadium on Sunday Kevin De Bruyne could return for Manchester City in their final-day showdown with Brighton on Sunday. The Belgium international has missed much of the season with knee injuries but has recently been struggling with a hamstring problem. Man City injuries Fernandinho will miss Sunday's game after suffering a knee problem during the game with Manchester United at the end of April. De Bruyne injured his hamstring against Tottenham last month but could be part of the squad this weekend. Benjamin Mendy is ruled out with a knee problem. Man City suspensions Neither side have any suspensions. Man City potential starting line-up The main selection dilemma heading into Sunday's game, if De Bruyne is not fit enough to start, will be whether to restore Leroy Sane to the line-up or stick with Phil Foden in midfield. Sane dropped to the bench against Leicester on Monday after a disappointing display against Burnley, but he replaced Foden in the second half after the youngster failed to make a mark on the game. The Germany winger, however, enraged Pep Guardiola at times during his appearance and it leaves the Catalan with a tough decision to make. Otherwise, most of the team picks itself. Ederson, Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte, Oleksandr Zinchenko, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero are sure to start, barring any surprise fitness issues over the weekend. Article continues below Vincent Kompany has started City's past four matches and is likely to do so again, especially given his match-winning contribution on Monday. Brighton team news Jose Izquierdo (knee) and Davy Propper (hamstring) are doubts for Brighton. Opta match facts A win will guarantee Manchester City their fourth Premier League title, and sixth overall in the English top-flight. They would be the first team to retain the crown since Manchester United in 2008-09. The last team to be top going into the final day of an English top-flight season and not win the title were Liverpool in 1988-89. Manchester City have won their last four meetings with Brighton in all competitions, already beating the Seagulls twice this season (once in the league, once in the FA Cup). Brighton have lost their last three final games of a top-flight season, losing 0-4 at Liverpool last term. Brighton and Hove Albion have played more top-flight matches against reigning champions without winning than any other team in top-flight history (11 – W0 D2 L9). Brighton manager Chris Hughton has lost eight of his 10 matches against Man City in all competitions (W1 D1), though his only victory came in a match on the closing day of the season (3-2 with Norwich in 2012-13). TV coverage & kick-off time Kick off is 3pm BST (10am ET) on Sunday and will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event in the United Kingdom. It will be shown on NBC in the United States, and on various channels around the world.<doc-sep>
Pep Guardiola has possibly his toughest team selection to make as Manchester City boss on Sunday, as his team sits three points from the Premier League title. City travel to Brighton, hoping to return to Manchester with the Premier League trophy. They will do that if they can equal or better Liverpool's result. Guardiola told reporters on Friday that Kevin de Bruyne could potentially feature after he trained for two days this week, but influential defensive midfielder Fernandinho is definitely ruled out. Leroy Sane has been overlooked in recent weeks, with Bernardo Silva preferred on the wing, but the German has scored important goals and could be used to inject some life into an attack that struggled until Vincent Kompany's rocket againt Leicester last time out. Read how our writers have predicted Pep Guardiola's final line up of the season, and use the widget at the bottom of the page to select your starting XI: Simon Bajkowski It has to be nearly the same team as Monday night, doesn't it? There's an argument for playing John Stones because City are likely to have a lot more of the ball and so their best ball-players should be on the pitch but Vincent Kompany has been so titanic in recent games it is impossible to leave him out. I'd bring Bernardo into the middle instead of Phil Foden - although Brighton would suit the youngster better than the Leicester game did - and have Leroy Sane out wide. He's not in great form but give him plenty of the ball and he should terrify the Brighton defence. If not, Gabriel Jesus can come off the bench and impress. The rest of the team picks itself. Stuart Brennan Last game of the season, all out, full strength, throw the lot at Brighton. That's the plan, no need for rotation, or tactical twiddling. Of course there are still disagreements among City fans and some of Pep's team selections are incredible, but - unless Kevin De Bruyne is a lot fitter than it seems - the team almost picks itself. Leroy Sane has not done enough in his cameo appearances to dislodge Raheem Sterling, and Gundogan has been the best midfielder in recent weeks. This is not the game for Phil Foden, but the two Silvas should be the two men operating inbetween the lines. The experience and unflappability of Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero and David Silva will be priceless, and they all must play. Joe Bray Not only do City need to field their strongest team at Brighton, they need one full of experience to overcome their final hurdle of the season. That means playing the in-form Vincent Kompany and ever-brilliant David Silva at the Amex. Both, of course, are the only survivors in the current squad from City's last two final day title deciders in 2012 and 2014. If Kevin de Bruyne is fit, he should play. That means Phil Foden drops out, and with Fernandinho injured it should be Ilkay Gundogan holding things together in midfield again. The German has quietly been one of City's most consistent players this season, and is a player Guardiola trusts to deputise for Fernandinho in the big games. Upfront, Bernardo's form means the attack picks itself, with Leroy Sane a fine option off the bench against Brighton's full-backs.