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| Manchester City knows what is at stake, they will not be nice on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. (Photo credit: ESPN) |
Manchester City could surge to the top of the Premier League table if they beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday in the early kickoff of game week 32.
The champions had Phil Foden to thank for a mesmerizing performance at the Etihad against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa on Wednesday; the England playmaker scored a sensational hattrick to hand Manchester City a win after their drab against the Gunners on Sunday.
Crystal Palace’s season has been a mix of everything: a good run of games, a tough patch that culminated in the exit of their veteran manager Roy Hodgson, the signing of Oliver Gasner as the former England manager’s replacement, and a host of injuries that also contributed to their fate.
The Eagles currently sit eight points above the drop zone; they’re not in danger of the drop considering how many teams are in it currently, but the last thing they want to worry about is the possibility of going down at the end of the season.
Manchester City is in the thick of the run-in; they have Real Madrid to think about for the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. The treble is still within the grasps of the champions, but they have lots of hurdles to cross to achieve it again.
Palace has only one win in their last five; their form is erratic, but they can be a spoiler on their day. The Eagles have enjoyed great games against Pep Guardiola’s side in the past, and they will draw inspiration from one of those to compete on Saturday.
The last five games between these two would excite Palace; the Eagles lost only two in that time and avoided defeat in the reverse fixture this season with a late Michael Olise onslaught. Manchester City must not be complacent.
Pep Guardiola understands the importance of the game; he insists his team will focus on what is in their own hands and hope things go their way from elsewhere. The form of Liverpool and Arsenal worries the City gaffer, but he’s optimistic they can still win the title.
Michael Olise is a major doubt for the hosts; his availability will help Gasner trouble the visitors, but he must make do with what he has. Guardiola could rotate a few, and with the Champions League around the corner, he should have enough to beat Palace.