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Manchester City is in discussions with the Premier League to rearrange their matches against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace in order to prevent a congested schedule that features three matches in just seven days.
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The suggested timetable is designed to accommodate the FA Cup Final against Chelsea set for Saturday, May 16.
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As Manchester City and Arsenal continue to vie for the top position in the league, the outcome of these discussions could greatly influence the race for the Premier League trophy.
Officials from Manchester City are seeking special authorization to rearrange two of their upcoming Premier League fixtures due to worrying levels of fixture congestion.
This request has arisen during a critical phase of the 2025/26 season following a decisive win over Burnley last Wednesday and a hard-fought victory in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, raising hopes for a potential domestic Treble.
However, the strain on the squad is increasing, particularly with Rodri nursing an injury alongside Ruben Dias, who is also recovering from recent injuries. The medical team at the City Football Academy is surely concerned about the current fixture proposal for mid-May.
Manchester City is likely to argue that the health of players should take precedence over strict scheduling rules, as failing to increase the recovery time between the Wembley final and league matches could give Arsenal a vital advantage.
Manchester City in Talks with Premier League
According to MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, Manchester City is negotiating with the Premier League to change the order of their upcoming home match against Crystal Palace and the away game against Bournemouth.
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City officials argue that playing Bournemouth first would extend the gap between three crucial matches from seven to eight days, which would be beneficial before the FA Cup Final against Chelsea on May 16.
However, the Premier League’s standard procedures stipulate that the Crystal Palace game, scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, should take priority based on original plans. Rescheduling is further complicated by UEFA’s wishes to avoid clashing with the Europa League final and Crystal Palace’s own commitments in the Conference League.
If City’s request is denied, they will endure a challenging three-match schedule spanning from Wednesday to Saturday, finishing with a trip to the south coast shortly after the Wembley final.
The Sun’s Martin Blackburn has reported that Manchester City’s competitors believe the team should not receive any ‘special treatment,’ and discussions regarding the scheduling of fixtures were still ongoing as of Sunday night.
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Potential Impact of Scheduling Changes on Man City
The Premier League’s decision will have implications that extend beyond the Etihad Stadium. If the request to rearrange fixtures is denied, Manchester City might need to make significant changes to their lineup for the match against Bournemouth—a choice between rotating players or risking fatigue by keeping the same squad.
Pep Guardiola has already emphasized the necessity of having all his players fit for this crucial point in the season, cautioning that any new injuries could end their title hopes.
Looking ahead, City is set to play against Everton on Monday night, where a victory will be essential to stay in close contact with Arsenal, who will have played two matches more than City by the time the match kicks off at Merseyside.