Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Connect with us

Man City

Guardiola expects stern test at Selhurst Park as Manchester City faces Crystal Palace: Foden fit, Stones and Laporte return

Guardiola expects stern test at Selhurst Park as Manchester City faces Crystal Palace - Foden fit, Stones and Laporte return

Selhurst Park is widely known as one of the Premier League’s most hostile grounds, and Pep Guardiola is expecting a stern test for Manchester City this weekend when they face Crystal Palace on their own patch.

Guardiola insists that every game, whether it’s played at home or away in the English top-flight, is fraught with danger. This latest encounter against Crystal Palace will be no different.

Speaking about the game, Guardiola said, “In the Premier League, every game away is difficult. At home as well. But Selhurst Park always has been, yeah definitely. Crystal Palace always in the previous seasons, especially at home, we struggled a lot to get results.”

ALSO READ: Why Joao Cancelo lost his place in the Bayern Munich side – Insights from sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic

Guardiola has great respect for Crystal Palace’s head coach, Patrick Vieira, who had an illustrious playing career at clubs such as Cannes, AC Milan, Arsenal, Juventus, Inter Milan, and Manchester City. Vieira has done a fantastic job as a manager with City EDS, New York City, Nice, and now Crystal Palace.

Patrick Vieira with Pep Guardiola

When asked about Vieira’s influence on the team, Guardiola said, “Well, I’ve not been with him to know exactly in the locker room. But his experience as a football player, a part of that he was in France, already have a big experience with Crystal Palace. He’s done a really good job.”

ALSO READ: Patrick Vieira credits City for his journey to becoming a football manager and discusses lack of black representation in coaching

Guardiola also revealed that he isn’t expecting any change to travel plans for the visit to Palace, despite the inclement weather currently gripping parts of the country. “The team manager organized the trip as usual. We will travel by plane in the early night, late afternoon. Hopefully, we can land safe and go to the hotel.”

Phil Foden credits quality for City's impressive FA Cup win against Bristol City and says he is Feeling 100% fit and comfortable

Guardiola confirmed that Phil Foden would be available for the Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday, despite injuring his foot in last week’s win over Newcastle United. John Stones, who has not played since January due to a hamstring injury, and Aymeric Laporte, who has missed recent games due to illness, were on the bench against Newcastle.

ALSO READ: Kyle Walker’s drunken bar Incident – Potential indecent exposure charges and investigation

Although the game gives an opportunity to close the gap on leaders Arsenal, who play the following day, Guardiola is expecting a testing trip. Palace has won just once since the World Cup, but they are unbeaten in their last four games against Liverpool, Brighton, Newcastle, and Manchester United.

So, football fans, get ready for a thrilling match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park this weekend! Watch the press conference via the video below.

Advertisement

Premier League 2024/2025

PWDLPts
1Liverpool
30
22
7
1
73
2Arsenal
30
17
10
3
61
3Nottingham Forest
30
17
6
7
57
4Chelsea
30
15
7
8
52
5Manchester City
30
15
6
9
51
6Newcastle United
29
15
5
9
50
7Aston Villa
30
13
9
8
48
8Brighton & Hove Albion
30
12
11
7
47
9Fulham
30
12
9
9
45
10AFC Bournemouth
30
12
8
10
44
11Brentford
30
12
5
13
41
12Crystal Palace
29
10
10
9
40
13Manchester United
30
10
7
13
37
14Tottenham Hotspur
30
10
4
16
34
15Everton
30
7
13
10
34
16West Ham United
30
9
7
14
34
17Wolverhampton Wanderers
30
8
5
17
29
18Ipswich Town
30
4
8
18
20
19Leicester City
30
4
5
21
17
20Southampton
30
2
4
24
10


Advertisement

Facebook

Must Read

More in Man City