Pep Guardiola makes ‘struggle’ Crystal Palace admission as Manchester City head to London

Pep Guardiola says Selhurst Park is very difficult place to play football ahead of this evening’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace.

The Eagles are under heavy pressure having failed to win all their league games in the year 2023, additionally, Palace haven’t beaten City since 2015 but did manage to draw in their last outing against the Citizens at Selhurst.

But Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola knows a team is dangerous when their backs are against the wall and affirms Selhurst is one of the most difficult grounds in the country. This season, they have already picked up points against Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester United at home which sends a signal to teams coming to South London.

Guardiola said: “In the Premier League, every game is always difficult. Selhurst Park has always been difficult- definitely.

“We have struggled a lot – especially at home – against Crystal Palace.”

Manchester City are hunting down league leaders Arsenal and know that they can squeeze the gap between them and Arteta’s side to just two points with the Gunners visiting an in-form Fulham on Sunday.

Palace have no new injury concerns and have been boosted with news that top-scorer Wilfried Zaha is getting stronger by the day after he returned from injury against Aston Villa last weekend. Manager Patrick Vieira is under increasing pressure to turn things around with the board concerned they might be sleepwalking into a relegation fight.

Vieira himself admitted he was concerned about recent results and called on the fans to help them.