Guardiola and treble-chasing Manchester City face balancing act

MANCHESTER, England : Pep Guardiola faces a meticulous balancing act in Manchester City's quest for a treble, having to fend off Arsenal in their chase for a third consecutive Premier League title while keeping one eye on their bid for a first Champions League trophy.

City play desperate Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday in what could be a pivotal Premier League game for both teams.

Guardiola's side are just a point clear of Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand, with four matches remaining, and with the Gunners refusing to go away the Spanish manager has little luxury to rest players.

Everton are two points and one place above the relegation zone.

City are on course to match their local rivals Manchester United, who achieved the feat in 1999, by capturing the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in the same season. They have won 10 straight in the Premier League and are unbeaten in 21 games in all competitions.

Guardiola, one of the game's most successful managers, could be on track for arguably the finest season of his career.

He has led City to four Premier League crowns, but has never tasted Champions League glory with the club, having won the competition twice with Barcelona.

City will host Real Madrid, winners of five of the last nine Champions League titles, in a gripping second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday after drawing 1-1 in the opener.

He is confident City will not fold under the pressure of chasing three trophies, having said several times of late that his players have the mental strength to stay the course at season's end when there is so much on the line.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal on Sunday host Brighton & Hove Albion, who have had a wild swing of results, beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 6-0 before