Man City frustrated as they face three decisive matches over seven days in May

City's frustration is understood to stem primarily from the time it has taken to find an alternative date for the postponed Crystal Palace game.

Manchester City are three points behind Arsenal in the Premier League with a game in hand. Pic: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Manchester City are understood to be frustrated after being left facing three decisive fixtures in the space of seven days next month.

City’s match against Crystal Palace, which was postponed from March 21 due to their participation in the Carabao Cup final, has now been scheduled for Wednesday, May 13.

The trip to Bournemouth, originally scheduled for May 17, had to be moved after City progressed to the FA Cup final to face Chelsea on May 16, and has now been slated for May 19.

That leaves Pep Guardiola’s men facing two huge matches in the Premier League – where they are three points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand – and the cup final in a week.

City’s frustration is understood to stem primarily from the time it has taken to find an alternative date for the Palace game.

It has been known since February 4 – when City beat Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final – that the match would need to be moved, and the club feel that the principle of rescheduling matches for the earliest possible moment has not been followed.

Palace’s involvement in the Conference League has been a complicating factor. The possibility of playing the match last week had been raised, but because Palace played West Ham last Monday – which was April 20 – it ruled out a midweek date for the City game.

It is understood City were told by the Premier League that if they had lost to Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals, that the Palace v West Ham match could have been played 24 hours earlier on April 19, which would have freed up a midweek slot for the Eagles to play City.

The club feel there was an opportunity to play the match against Palace last week, because the match against Burnley – which was played last week – could have been moved to this week or next, when Palace had no free dates due to European participation.

Once that option failed to materialise, City had hoped that the Bournemouth game could be brought forward to Tuesday, May 12 and the Palace game be played the following midweek. It is understood UEFA wanted to keep May 20 clear for the Europa League final, but there is precedent this season for Premier League matches to be on the same night as UEFA club competition matches, with Arsenal taking on Wolves on February 18, the same night as four Champions League knockout round play-off games.

As a further alternative City had proposed playing Bournemouth on May 21 to allow for a longer recovery period after the FA Cup final – and thought the Premier League was receptive – but ultimately the match was fixed for May 19.

Manchester City declined to comment while the Premier League has been contacted for comment.