City get a rare break as Real tests coming thick and fast

PEP Guardiola was already wary of City's run of fixtures before he knew their opponents in the Champions League play-offs.

- SIMON BAJKOWSKI

Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool, Tottenham and Forest all from now until the beginning of March makes for five of the top six and a bogey team at a bogey ground.

Add Real Madrid in before the Newcastle and Liverpool games and the City manager did not attempt to downplay how difficult it will be.

"It's tough playing against Real or Bayern and the problem is in the middle playing Newcastle - they are always so kind in the calendar for many years," he said last week.

"The broadcasters decide. They don't ask me if it's better to play Tuesday or Wednesday.

"In Portugal and France they play on Friday. We played on Sunday before we went to Paris.