MANCHESTER CITY have been backed by nearly HALF of punters to be relegated.

It comes as the court hearing into their alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules nears the end of its first week.

1

Man City are facing between 115 and 130 charges brought against them by league bosses.

This includes giving false accounts on player wages and sponsorships and failing to assist with the investigation.

The financial breach charges stretch for nine years from 2009, while charges of withholding information run into 2023.

The decision for the unprecedented trial is not likely to be known until the Spring.

But since the hearing began on Monday, punters have placed their bets on what they reckon the outcome will be.

According to Betfair, a whopping 42 per cent of punters have placed single bets on Man City to be relegated.

If found guilty, punishments could include a heavy financial penalty, points deductions, being stripped of previous titles and relegation.

And it has now been revealed that City are at risk of being kicked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup too.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

While there is also no certainty that the four-in-a-row Premier League champions would be able to compete in the Champions League and Club World Cup either.

However, SunSport understands the latter is unlikely despite the rules allowing it to happen.

Pep Guardiola‘s Man City drew their most recent game 0-0 against Inter Milan in the Champions League.

They have a 100 per cent winning record in the league so far, but host title rivals Arsenal on Sunday with one team set to lose their unbeaten start to the season.