Joyful Manchester City fans turn up in droves to welcome the champions elect ahead of title clincher

Joyful Manchester City fans turn up in droves to welcome the champions elect – with Pep Guardiola’s side set to wrap up the Premier League title today if they beat Chelsea at the Etihad

  • City can officially secure the top spot with victory against Chelsea on Saturday
  • The Blues clash is a dress rehearsal for the Champions League final on May 29
  • Guardiola’s outfit have three Premier League matches remaining this campaign 
  • Sealing the title would take the pressure off and allow rotation before the final 

Hundreds of supporters of champions-elect Manchester City have crowded around the Etihad ahead of the club’s potential Premier League crowning moment on Saturday afternoon.

No fans are allowed inside the ground due to current coronavirus restrictions, but if City seal the Premier League title with victory against Chelsea there will likely be huge celebrations of the streets of Manchester.

Several hundred fans gathered outside the stadium, chanting joyfully and setting off blue flares as Guardiola’s side were welcomed in to encourage their side and provide an intimidating atmosphere for the visiting Blues.

Joyful Manchester City fans have turned up in their droves for their match against Chelsea

Pep Guardiola’s side could secure the Premier League title today if they beat the Blues

Pep Guardiola’s men can secure their first Premier League title in two years if they get three points against Thomas Tuchel’s side.

A win would put them on 83 points with three league games remaining, with second-placed Manchester United back on 67 points, although they have five matches left.

The domestic title has not been in question after recent performances, but mathematically and officially securing the Premier League will still provide a fantastic moment for City fans who saw a rampant Liverpool win the title last season.

Joyful City supporters set off flares and chanted songs as the team buses arrived at the ground

Joyful City supporters set off flares and chanted songs as the team buses arrived at the ground

There was a police presence as fans gathered but the mood was jubilant and celebratory

There was a police presence as fans gathered but the mood was jubilant and celebratory

Saturday’s clash also acts as a dress rehearsal for the Champions League final on May 29, three weeks to the day after the Blues beat them 1-0 in the FA Cup semi-final to end their dreams of a historic quadruple.

It provides the Spaniard an opportunity to beat Tuchel’s men in a big game, try out different tactical systems and gain a psychological advantage ahead of the European showpiece.

Chelsea, meanwhile, currently lie in fourth with Leicester immediately ahead of them and West Ham and Tottenham behind, desperately chasing automatic qualification to next season’s Champions League.