Manuel Pellegrini in danger of axe as slide continues

Manuel Pellegrini's prospects of remaining the manager of Manchester City are appearing increasingly bleak following a devastating derby defeat to fierce rivals Manchester United. Despite a bright start the eagerly anticipated clash, the Citizens crumbled to a 4-2 loss, leaving the defending champions four points adrift of the third and final direct Champions League qualification spot, with just six matches remaining.

• Man City have lost six of their last eight matches.
• City have been defeated in five consecutive away games.

The more imminent danger is clinging onto 4th-place, as the likes of Southampton and Liverpool still harbour hopes of rocking the City ship. The Saints (5th) are currently five points adrift, whereas Liverpool can shred the gap to four points if they beat Newcastle at Anfield tonight (Monday). However, the bookmakers still fancy City to pull through, with Pellegrini's troops priced at just 1/9 (Betfred) to hold on and secure a top-4 finish.

Pellegrini looked a beaten man during and after the derby defeat, which was remarkably the club's sixth loss in their last eight matches, while it was their fifth consecutive away defeat. The Chilean remains the odds-on favourite in the Premier League Sack Race, and should his side lose at home to West Ham on Sunday, then it could well be curtains for the former Villarreal boss.

However, the lack of available options could work in Pellegrini's favour. City's not-so-secret desire to lure Pep Guardiola over to the Etihad is likely to be thrwarted for at least a couple of seasons, whereas Carlo Ancelotti still has over a year remaining on his Real Madrid contract, although the Italian is likely to leave the Bernabeu should Los Blancos fail to win either the Champions League or La Liga.

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Man City's Remaining 6 Matches

• West Ham (h)
• Aston Villa (h)
• Tottenham (a)
• QPR (h)
• Swansea (a)
• Southampton (h)