Pep Guardiola insists title race could be over THIS WEEK in warning to Man City stars

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Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City ’s title challenge could end if his side lose to West Ham this weekend. City head into the latest round of fixtures seven points behind Arsenal following their recent draw with Nottingham Forest .

Should they drop points to relegation-threatened West Ham - and Arsenal beat Everton at Goodison Park - that would put them ten points off the pace with eight games to play, albeit with a game in hand.

And Guardiola believes that his side cannot afford any more mistakes or they will be surrendering the title over to Arsenal.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s clash, the Spanish coach said: "The Premier League is the most difficult title, the Premier League I believe is the most difficult one and still we are there knowing that if we drop points, it will be over.

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"It is a pleasure to be here. Last season we could not reach this stage, so it is nice. Like Nottingham Forest before, every team play for something. For relegation, for Europe, for Champions League - for every game, there are no second chances."

City’s Premier League issues come with their hopes of claiming a second Champions League title in real jeopardy. Guardiola’s side slipped to a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid in midweek - midfielder Federico Valverde netting an outstanding hattrick.

Guardiola added: “It is not the first time it has been hard. It is not the first time but I will argue about the team selection but we lost.

“Before England was the best league in the world , we were the best but after what happened in midweek we are not. I am sure we are an incredible league. In this, it is a one off game. Nobody was talking about Norway but now Bodo is amazing.

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“I have an opinion about Madrid and there will be changes. We could do better. In the first half before the goal, we played exceptionally - we were a threat. Then the goals come and the quality of Valverde it was a completely different game. We conceded a penalty which I am sorry it was not. We had a clear chance for Nico but Courtois made an incredible save.”

Following this weekend’s clash with West Ham, City will then turn their attention back to the Champions League as they welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad. They will then have their first chance of silverware this season as they take on title rivals Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.

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