The first selection of Premier League fixtures have been released ahead of the top flight's restart have been released, three months since Manchester City's match against Arsenal was one of the first games to be postponed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Pep Guardiola's side still have ten top-flight fixtures to be fulfilled, and although dreams of defending their Premier League title were bid goodbye along time ago, City would likely have settled for that in exchange for a shot at Champions League glory - which is still very much a possibility.
The Citizens still have their top four status to secure once the season resumes, but should do so comfortably given the 12-point gap they have built over rivals United in fifth spot - although this could all be in vain should City's appeal against their European football ban be unsuccessful.
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— Kevin De Bruyne (@DeBruyneKev) June 5, 2020
The most City can hope for in the Premier League now is to finish ahead of Leicester and retain second spot - with the Foxes four points behind having played a game more.
With 10 fixtures left, let's take a look at how City's remaining league matches could play out.
Matchday 29 - Arsenal (Home)
Pep Guardiola will come up against Mikel Arteta in the opposition dugout for the first time since the former City assistant boss traded Manchester for north London in December.
It promises to be a fascinating tactical battle as the mentor takes on his former mentee.
City comfortably came away with victory in the reverse fixture in December thanks to a Kevin De Bruyne masterclass. Arteta was appointed five days later, and although Arsenal have improved since his arrival, City should still have too much quality for the Gunners.
Result: Win
Points Tally: 60
Matchday 30 - Burnley (Home)
Burnley had been enjoying a real resurgence before the suspension of football, suffering just one defeat in their last eight and registering impressive victories over Leicester and Manchester United to lift them comfortably into mid table.
The City fixture will be the Clarets' first competitive fixture since 7 March, and they may struggle with a lack of match sharpness.
For City meanwhile, it will be their second game in the space of five days – having not played for just over three months – and even with the addition of five substitutions, they could still be feeling the physical affects of the Arsenal game.
However, City's substantial squad depth will undoubtably work in their favour, and a potential lack of match fitness could be particularly detrimental for Sean Dyche's side given their hard working, heavy running style of play.
Result: Win
Points Tally: 63
Matchday 31 - Chelsea (Away)
City's first away trip sees them visit Stamford Bridge, and the Blues had appeared to be on the cusp of a bit of form before football was suspended, following Billy Gilmour-inspired victories over Liverpool and Everton.
City got the better of Chelsea when Frank Lampard's side were in peak form in November, coming from behind to secure a 2-1 victory.
The game will be City's third in the space of eight days, while it will only be Chelsea's second fixture since the Premier League's return. Both sides have been excellent going forward this season and suspect defensively, and with tired legs due to the fixture congestion, sloppy defensive mistakes could even themselves out at either end.
Result: Draw
Points Tally: 64
Matchday 32 - Liverpool (Home)
Liverpool may or may not be Premier League champions by the time they visit Man City. If Jurgen Klopp's side have collected maximum points from their first two league games against Everton and Crystal Palace, they will go into the encounter having been crowned Premier League champions a week earlier.
If not, depending on City's results, Liverpool could travel to City needing a win to secure the title.
Liverpool would be expected to have been crowned champions by then, but will still be keen to get one over City as they pursue a record Premier League points total.
Both sides will got back into the swing of competitive action by this point, but will have enjoyed a week's rest, meaning it could be the highest quality match since the league's return.
Pep Guardiola's side will want to restore some Premier League pride, and taking points off Liverpool to damage their chances of breaking their own top flight points haul is the best way to do so.
Result: Draw
Points Tally: 65
Matchday 33 - Southampton (Away)
No date has been set for City's encounter with Southampton, so it is as yet unknown how tight the turnaround will be.
The Saints' have been one of the success stories of the season, sitting well clear of the drop zone and looking a transformed outfit from the side that were hammered 9-0 by Leicester in October.
Danny Ings' potency in front of goal has been instrumental, but such a reliance on a single player could be detrimental during the intense fixture schedule.
Guardiola's side narrowly came out on top in the reverse fixture in November, and a similar outcome is likely at St Mary's.
Result: Win
Points Tally: 68
Matchday 34: Newcastle (Home)
The game has been earmarked to potentially be played at a neutral venue, and following up a 450 mile round trip to Southampton with more travelling could prove detrimental to City. The Magpies will have less travel their legs, having hosted Bournemouth in their most recent fixture.
However, you would still fancy City to get three points against a Newcastle side who have punched above their weight this season without really playing particularly well.
The last encounter between the two sides really sums up the Magpies' season: they had just 19% possession but scored an 88th minute equaliser to earn an unlikely point.
Result: Win
Points Tally: 71
Matchday 35: Brighton (Away)
Another lengthy trip awaits, as City make the trip down to the south coast to face relegation threatened Brighton.
The Seagulls are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the Premier League, and have been very vocal about their disapproval of restarting the season.
It will be interesting to discover whether this initial reluctance to play rubs off on the players and impacts their mentality, performances and results.
Brighton have played openly and expansively this season - to their detriment at times - and City's lethal front line could hugely exploit this.
Result: Win
Points Tally: 74
Matchday 36: Bournemouth (Home)
Much like Brighton, Bournemouth are entrenched in a relegation dogfight, and will visit City needing to scrap for any point they can get their hands on.
Eddie Howe's side have been forced to demonstrate their ability to dig in for results from time to time this season - a side we haven't really seen from the Cherries during their stint in the top flight.
However, City won the reverse fixture relatively comfortably at the start of the campaign, and a similar result is expected on home soil.
Result: Win
Points Tally: 77
Matchday 37: Watford (Away)
It's a third match in a row against a relegation-threatened side, as City's final away trip of the season sees them visit Watford - with goal difference currently keeping the Hornets out of the bottom three.
Like Bournemouth and Brighton, Watford will be scrapping for points, but unlike the south coast pair, the Hornets have a steelier, more resilient side to them, as instilled by Nigel Pearson.
City will likely have nothing to play for by this time, not even second position, and Watford are capable of taking advantage of any signs of complacency, as they demonstrated against Liverpool in February. They'll take a point off City - and it could prove vital in their battle to avoid the drop.
Result: Draw
Points Tally: 78
Matchday 38: Norwich (Home)
City bring their season to a close against the side who ended their 18-game unbeaten run back in September. Unfortunately for Daniel Farke's side, that's about as good as it got, with the Canaries marooned to the foot of the table.
Unless Norwich have managed to plug the six point gap between themselves and safety, they could be down and out by the time they play City. Or they could be attempting a final-day great escape.
The former seems the more likely, but Norwich will want to depart the top flight in their characteristically carefree, attacking style. City will take advantage of their expansiveness in an entertaining, high scoring end to the season.
Result: Win
Points Tally: 81
Source : 90min