Manchester City finds itself in the odd position of fifth at Christmas, just before their return to Premier League action. The Blues were without a game on Saturday afternoon after their scheduled match against Brentford was canceled. That was due to Pep Guardiola’s team competing in the Club World Cup on Friday night.

City defeated Fluminense of Brazil in the final in Saudi Arabia to claim their fifth title in an extraordinary year. At the Etihad, the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, and Super Cup are already under lock and key.

Guardiola’s team will want to retain at least one of those competitions next year, but they will have to come from behind to win the domestic crown once more. City will play Everton again on Wednesday.

And they’ll have to find a new date to fit in their game against Brentford, adding to an already demanding schedule in the second half of the season. City are in the last 16 of the Champions League and will face FC Copenhagen in the quarter-finals.

The majority of the Blues’ midweek fixtures will be taken up with a deep run in Europe, while their FA Cup defense begins next month against Huddersfield Town. Again, City will be much favored to advance in that competition.

There are two midweek dates set aside for third and fourth round replays (week beginning January 14 and February 5), which may allow for the game to be played. In the rematch, City travel to Brentford on Saturday, February 3.

The encounter might also take place on a night when City is not in action in the Champions League. The final 16 games are spread out over four midweek dates, with the Blues playing on February 13 and March 6. It means that February 20/21 and March 12/13 might be choices, though the Premier League would need to get permission from UEFA, who prefer exclusivity on the top European fixtures. However, in the past, exceptions have been granted for domestic games to take place on Champions League nights.

The following free week is the week beginning April 22, with the final week of the season left. If City is knocked out of Europe, more dates may become available, and the game is expected to be rescheduled sooner rather than later.