Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is not getting ahead of himself before his side's date with destiny. City head into their final game of a remarkable season as hot favourites to win the Barclays Premier League title. Victory over relegation-threatened QPR at the Etihad Stadium will be enough to secure a first league crown since 1968 and many feel the club could dominate for years to come. Mancini is also excited about the future but is putting all thoughts of that aside to concentrate on the present. The Italian, who has no injury problems, said: "I said three or four weeks ago I think Manchester City now are one of the top teams in England, in Europe. "After (this) Manchester City can win a title for three or four years - it is possible. "I don't know this, but now it is important to win the first. The second (comes) after." City lead the table from Manchester United only on goal difference but such is their advantage under that criteria - eight better than the defending champions - matching their neighbours' result should be all that is required. Mancini has seen his side surrender a five-point lead over United to fall eight points behind just over a month ago, only to claw it back in the space of four games. It has now become a case of merely holding their nerve to complete the job and Mancini has faith in his players. "I trust them 100%," said Mancini, who was publicly saying the title race was over a month ago. "They know they have everything in their hands. "They work hard, they fight every game for one year and in this championship that is very hard. Now they have a big chance. "We want to win for our supporters. They don't win the title for nearly 50 years and stay in a city where our 'cousins' win every year. "I think that is really difficult for our supporters but now maybe people can be happy after Sunday."
Mark Hughes admits managing QPR has been his "most difficult" job yet but believes they can end the season with survival after coming back from the brink. They travel to City with just two points separating them and Bolton in the final relegation berth. Owen Coyle's side head to Stoke looking to retain their top-flight status, while the Hoops face the unenviable task of taking something off a City side on the cusp of a first league title since 1968. Hughes believes it is going to be "hell of a day" and rejected the notion he would take any satisfaction from stifling the club he was unceremoniously dismissed from two and a half years ago. "If we get a result but I will be more pleased for everybody connected with Queens Park Rangers," the former City boss said. "I wouldn't take any satisfaction from thwarting City's title quest]. "It would only be delight for my team and my players because it would be a huge achievement to be able to do that. "It has not been easy. I came in halfway through a very difficult season and it has not been easy. "Arguably it has been the most difficult job I've had to date, but we've turned things around. "We've got to where we need to be and the players are understanding what is required at this level and we'll see where it takes us. "From our point of view, we just want to make sure we're in the Premier League. "It's the hardest league in world football but it is the best and that is what we want to be part of." The fact QPR head into the match in control of their own destiny is remarkable given the position they almost found themselves in last weekend. The Hoops took until the 89th minute to find a winner against Stoke, which was followed almost immediately by West Brom cancelling a two-goal deficit to snatch a draw at Bolton. The change in fortunes was met by euphonic scenes in W12 and Hughes believes it could prove a catalyst to success at the Etihad Stadium. Asked if QPR would have been all but down had things stayed as they were minutes earlier, Hughes said: "You would have to say so if we are honest. "We would still given it our best shot [at City] but I just think the momentum and belief we got from that latter stages of that game will help us. "There is no apprehension in terms of what we face, we're just looking forward to the challenge and making sure we give a good account of ourselves." Samba Diakite (virus) will miss out for QPR while Shaun Derry (dead leg) and Akos Buzsaky (hamstring) are doubtful.
Source: PA
