Manchester City's head coach, Pep Guardiola, has expressed optimism about his team securing a spot in the Premier League top five.

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Speaking during a news conference on Monday, May 19, ahead of City's clash with Bournemouth on Tuesday, May 20, the Spanish coach said that he was "absolutely" confident of his side's capability to qualify for Champions League football for next season.

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"If we are not there [Champions League], then we don't deserve it and will be in the Europa League. It is what it is.

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"I am thinking we are going to qualify. My thoughts and the way I think -- I think that. We need four points. That is the main target. I am absolutely confident of qualifying," Guardiola told reporters.

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Pep's assertion comes on the back of his side's current position on the Premier League table. With 65 points, City sits 6th with just a point lower than Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa, who each have 66 points.

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Importantly, City has a game in hand over these rivals, providing them with a crucial opportunity to climb the standings.

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Speaking on his side's defeat to Crystal Palace in Saturday's clash, Pep noted that:

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"We played a really good final, but not enough to win it. And we have the last two games; we need four points next year to be in the Champions League. This is enough, and everyone has to be aware of that," Guardiola said.

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"Newcastle won the Carabao Cup, Liverpool won the Premier League, and City won the Community Shield. The other teams didn't win anything," the Spaniard added.

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Manchester City's match against Bournemouth will be their last home game of the season.

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After that, they will travel to play Fulham, who are in 10th place, for their final Premier League game on Sunday.

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Pep is bent on winning the match, as it would mark Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne's last home game for City, as the 33-year-old midfielder is expected to part ways with the club after ten years of play.

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He said, "This is what Kevin wants. Kevin will get what he deserves, and what he deserves is the best moment and the best compliment for his incredible trajectory."

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"We want to win the game so we can qualify for the Champions League next season; it couldn't be otherwise."

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"I am going to decide what is best for us to win the game against Bournemouth, that is for sure," Pep added.

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