City fell to a damaging 1-0 defeat away to Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon
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Manchester City were beaten 1-0 by Nottingham Forest as they lost further ground on their rivals for the top four.
Callum Hudson-Odoi's goal was enough to separate the two sides, as Forest took a huge stride towards qualifying for next season's Champions League by stretching the gap between themselves and City to four points.
City's title challenge has long since faded and, aside from targeting a trophy in the FA Cup, their main goal between now and May is to ensure they earn a spot in next season's Champions League following their exit from Europe at the hands of Real Madrid last month.
To do so, Pep Guardiola's men must secure a top four spot in the Premier League although fifth will likely be enough to qualify with England well placed to secure one of the two extra spots in the expanded competition.
City are currently fourth, one point ahead of Chelsea and three points ahead of Newcastle, although their rivals still have to play this weekend. Liverpool and Arsenal seem destined for the top two places but only five points separate City in fourth to Villa in 10th, as the race for Champions League qualification continues to heat up.
Here's how City's next six top flight fixtures compare to those others chasing a Champions League spot.
Arsenal
Sunday, March 9: Manchester United (A)
Sunday, March 16: Chelsea (H)
Tuesday, April 1: Fulham (H)
Saturday, April 5: Everton (A)
Saturday, April 12: Brentford (H)
Sunday, April 20: Ipswich (A)
Manchester City
Saturday, March 15: Brighton (H)
Wednesday, April 2: Leicester (H)
Saturday, April 5: Manchester United (A)
Saturday, April 12: Crystal Palace (H)
Saturday, April 19: Everton (A)
Monday, April 28: Aston Villa (H)
Nottingham Forest
Saturday, March 15: Ipswich (A)
Tuesday, April 1: Manchester United (H)
Saturday, April 5: Aston Villa (A)
Saturday, April 12: Everton (H)
Monday, April 21: Tottenham (A)
Saturday, April 26: Brentford (H)
Chelsea
Saturday, March 8: Leicester City (H)
Sunday, March 16: Arsenal (A)
Wednesday, April 2: Tottenham (H)
Saturday, April 5: Brentford (A)
Saturday, April 12: Ipswich (H)
Saturday, April 19: Fulham (A)
Newcastle United
Monday. March 10: West Ham (A)
Wednesday, April 2: Brentford (H)
Saturday, April 5: Leicester (A)
Saturday, April 12: Manchester United (H)
Wednesday, April 16: Crystal Palace (H)
Saturday, April 19: Aston Villa (A)
Bournemouth
Sunday, March 9: Tottenham (A)
Saturday, March 15: Brentford (H)
Saturday, April 5: West Ham (A)
Saturday, April 12: Fulham (H)
Saturday, April 19: Crystal Palace (A)
Sunday, April 27: Manchester United (H)
Brighton
Saturday, March 8: Fulham (H)
Saturday, March 15: Man City (A)
Wednesday, April 2: Aston Villa (H)
Saturday, April 5: Crystal Palace (A)
Saturday, April 12: Leicester (H)
Saturday, April 19: Brentford (A)
Fulham
Saturday, March 8: Brighton (A)
Sunday, March 16: Tottenham (H)
Tuesday, April 1: Arsenal (A)
Sunday, April 6: Liverpool (H)
Monday, April 14: Fulham (H)
Saturday, April 19: Chelsea (H)
Aston Villa
Saturday, March 8: Brentford (A)
Tuesday, April 1: Brighton (A)
Saturday, April 5: Nottingham Forest (H)
Saturday, April 12: Southampton (A)
Saturday, April 19: Newcastle United (H)
Monday, April 28: Man City (A)