Man City face Premier League fixture headache owing to Club World Cup commitments

Manchester City face a Premier League fixture headache in December owing to their Club World Cup participation.

Pep Guardiola’s side won the Champions League for the first time in June, defeating Inter Milan 1-0 in the final. The result means the Blues will travel to the Club World Cup in December.

City will enter the competition in the last four, along with the champions of South America who will be determined in November. Guardiola’s side will face two matches in the tournament with a third/fourth place play off or a final to follow their last four tie.

The showpiece takes place on Friday, December 22 and while the dates haven't been confirmed for earlier rounds, City’s first game is likely to be on the Tuesday. The tournament starts on December 12 and takes place in Saudi Arabia.

Home club Al-Itihad kick off the tournament against Auckland City while Mexican club Leon, Japanese outfit Urawa Red Diamonds and Egypt’s Al-Ahly are the other confirmed participants in the six-team competition. And there will be a knock-on effect for City's Premier League ambitions as they seek to retain the title and become the first team to win four top flight crowns in a row.

City face Crystal Palace at home in the Premier League on December 16 before taking on Brentford at the Etihad on December 23. Those two games may well be rearranged, while City are due to visit Everton on Boxing Day.

The Blues could also be involved in a Carabao Cup quarter final on December 19-20, which would need to be rearranged due to their Club World Cup commitments.

It's clear the trip to Saudi Arabia will impact the domestic fixture list and Guardiola will once again need to manage his squad with added competitions to contest. City will also be in the UEFA