Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola acknowledged the need for his players to do better, after their goal has been taken to Manchester United last weekend.
City -guestheer Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday, and Guardiola focuses on improvement with his side that has stopped from the Champions League places.
After their draw with Manchester United – and the victory of Newcastle United on Monday at Leicester City – the citizens jumped by the side of Eddie Howe, who also have a game in hand.
“The players know it. There is a process when the ball is on one side, the players must be in the right position. That was not good enough,” he said.
“Against a 5-4-1 it is so narrow and overburdened. We should have been in some positions that we tried to come in, but were not good enough to punish them.
“The last games we were much, much better, [the] Back four better, only our process wasn't that [good]. “
Palace wing Ebereechi Eze has meanwhile acknowledged that the impact injuries have had on his season prior to the Eagles visit to the Etihad Stadium.
“It's how football sometimes goes. I picked up a few injuries here and there – I had trouble getting a little rhythm,” he said.
“It is good to play now and feel a little more for free – I get stronger and stronger every game.
“It is important for me to play and feel good. I am going to where I think I will perform. It is not the best – it is built. There is certainly more to come. I enjoy football. Long may it continue.”
At home at home in the @premierleague this weekend
#Asahisuperdry pic.twitter.com/vneb1plqa3
– Manchester City (@Mancity) April 8, 2025
Players to watch
Manchester City – Omar Marmoush
Marmoush has scored five goals in his last four home competitions for City and brought his count to 26 during the season for City and Eintracht Frankfurt.
They are also three goals in his last four city performances in all competitions, which last month in the 2-1 victory to Bournemouth in the quarter finals of FA Cup in the FA Cup quarte final.
Crystal Palace – Jean -Phillippe Mateta
Only Mohamed Salah (10) has so far scored more Premier League goals in 2025 than Mateta (nine).
With 18 goals in 2024 he could become the third palace player who in consecutive years double figures in the Premier League Net, together with Andrew Johnson (2004-05) and Eze (2023-24).
In this match, the Frenchman comes with nine goals in his last 10 league games and 16 in all matches during the season.
Match forecast: Profit from Manchester City
City has only lost one of their last 12 Premier League matches against Palace (won seven, four), with 2-0 home in October 2021.
After their 0-0 draw to Manchester United in the competition last weekend, Pep Guardiola's side has only lost one of their last seven games in all competitions.
City has also only lost one of their last seven Home League matches, which in February a 2-0 defeat against Runaway Premier League Liverpool Liverpool.
In the meantime, Palace has not succeeded in winning one of their eight league games against teams currently in the top six of the Premier League, with only four points.
Opta wins probability
Manchester City – 60.3%
Drawing – 20.5%
Crystal Palace – 19.2%