Roberto Mancini in bullish mood over Manchester City's chances of Champions League qualification

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is confident that his side can secure a top four finish in the Premier League and consequently qualify for next season's Champions League competition.

Currently nestled into sixth-place in England's top flight, City are three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool, but could usurp Rafael Benitez's side should they win their two games in hand.

Mancini has overseen eight wins since his arrival at Eastlands, however, his side succumbed to a surprise 2-1 loss against Hull City on Saturday and the Italian lambasted the Citizens, proclaiming their first-half performance as shoddy for a side harbouring top four aspirations.

Regarding their challenge for a passage into Europe's most prestigious tournament, Mancini told Press Association Sport: "I'm even more confident.

"Because in the first three or four games we have played very well after we've lost players [to injury]. I'm confident when I recover all the players we can win this week at home and then win away [at Stoke on Tuesday].

"We must remember we have two games in hand and if we win them we go fourth. We have a good chance if we win this game. When we recover all our players I don't think it's a problem."

"I think this is a good squad but we have had more players injured and this is difficult. In midfield, we have had only three midfielders, Gareth [Barry], Nigel [de Jong] and Stephen [Ireland], and it's impossible that you can play a season with only three midfielders."

Contrary to popular opinion that states there is a big four in England, Mancini has alluded to a top two - with the title contested between Chelsea and Manchester United - and then a division below where five other teams battle for the remaining two Champions League qualification spots.

"I think that Tottenham, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Arsenal are five teams playing for two places and we have a good chance."