A week of disappointment for English clubs in European competition means that there are more than a few players and managers feeling the pressure ahead of the latest round of Premier League fixtures.
On another vital weekend for sides at both the top and bottom of the table, there is certain to be plenty of drama as the run-in begins.
Below, Sports Mole singles out three people stealing the headlines on another hectic week in the Premier League.
1. Manuel Pellegrini
Manuel Pellegrini will keep telling people he's not feeling the pressure, but the fact is that the Chilean's job is certainly under threat. It should be madness to suggest that the man who led the club to just their second Premier League title is close to being sacked. However, in modern football, that's just how it works.
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After lifting the title in his first season in charge, City were expected to improve during this campaign, but Chelsea have eased clear of their closest challengers at the top of the table. However, the squad doesn't appear to have improved and losses at crucial stages mean that City are now just fighting to cling on to a spot in the top four.
Exiting the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona once again in midweek is certainly not the best preparations for the squad, but Pellegrini must now find a way to produce a reaction. With just four points separating City from fifth-placed Liverpool, the champions simply cannot afford to slip-up like they did at Burnley last weekend. West Bromwich Albion will be quietly optimistic about piling the misery on in the lunchtime kickoff on Saturday. In truth, Pellegrini's fate may have already been sealed, but his side must finish the season well to give him a fighting chance, and that needs to start with a win at the Etihad Stadium.
2. Harry Kane
Harry Kane will be remembered as one of the stars of this season, there's certainly no doubt about that. The Tottenham Hotspur striker's breakout year was rewarded with an England call-up as Roy Hodgson named him in the squad to face Lithuania and Italy later this month. He's already scored 26 goals in all competitions in this campaign, and a step-up to the senior squad is certainly deserved.
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However, playing for England brings new pressure and the spotlight is on the 21-year-old ahead of his international debut. Every mistake or poor performance will be heavily scrutinised, although a below-par display from the forward has been a rare occurrence this season. All eyes will be on Kane when he plays for Hodgson's side for the first time next week, but before then, he'll be eager to continue justifying his selection with another impressive display. Leicester City could pay the price.
3. Charlie Austin
Queens Park Rangers forward Charlie Austin will be looking at Kane with envy. Many people had called for him to join Kane in this England squad, but Hodgson overlooked him to keep faith with Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck, who have both been regulars since the England boss took over. Some would suggest that a change is needed, but that argument has been put to one side for another day.
The fact is that Austin is unlucky not to be in the squad. He's been fantastic since arriving in the Premier League with QPR, and has proved any doubters that he is certainly good enough for the top flight. Only Kane, Sergio Aguero and Diego Costa have scored more league goals than Austin, whose instincts in front of goal are the key reason why QPR have not been cut adrift in the fight to avoid relegation.
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Strikers are always desperate to prove their worth, and Austin seems destined to pull on the England shirt at some stage in his career. The 25-year-old will catch Hodgson's eye if he continues to find the net on a regular basis, and if he leads QPR to safety, the calls for his inclusion in the squad will be even louder. Everton visit Loftus Road on Sunday afternoon after their disappointment in the Europa League, and Chris Ramsey's side will feel the game is a good chance to pick up a vital win. Can Austin deliver the goods again?
Callum Mulvihill
