Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that his side "deserve to qualify" for the Champions League due to their hard work this season.

A 2-2 draw with Arsenal last Sunday left the door open for Manchester United to steal a place in the top four, but the Red Devils themselves slipped up at West Ham United.

That leaves the Citizens, two points ahead of their rivals, in prime position to get the job done on the final weekend of the season as they head to Swansea City while United play host to Bournemouth.

Sunday's match at the Liberty Stadium will also mark Pellegrini's last in charge of City and, while he refused to be drawn on how much of an impact Pep Guardiola's arrival will have, the Chilean says that he will leave on a high.

"I have enjoyed it over the last three years. Not just the titles I won," he told reporters. "It is the best league of the world. The fans, the stadiums are full capacity. It is a very competitive league. There are six teams who are very close to each other with the money they spend and potential.

"It is very difficult to win the title here. All the teams are difficult. But I think we deserve to be in the Champions League. We played well against Arsenal and we deserve to qualify, but the Premier League is not easy.

"It is not the moment to talk about [Guardiola]. It is important for it not to affect the team. The media did say the season was finished and the next season was starting. But that was not the only reason. There were a lot of others."

Pellegrini won two League Cup trophies and one Premier League title during his three years at the Etihad Stadium.