Crystal Palace vs Man City – Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Selhurst Park knowing a win could take them top with Arsenal and Liverpool still to play

These two teams love to play out a draw.

The sides drew 2-2 at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season which was the third time in the last five meetings between the sides that Palace have avoided defeat against City.

A draw wouldn’t be enough for City today, you’d expect.

Never predict a Pep Guardiola team.

The Spaniard loves to ruin Fantasy Premier League managers’ weeks when he picks his 11 – Phil Foden is in my team… I’m not bitter..

It is a big surprise that Phil Foden has dropped to the bench for the clash with Crystal Palace today, not many were expecting it.

Pep knows best though, there is a reason he is arguably the best manager in the world.

Pep Guardiola loves to switch things up when we least expect it, and he has done it again.

After being dropped to the nech in midweek, both Erling Haaland and Kevin DeBuryne return to the starting 11.

However, Phil Foden has been benched despite scoring a hattrick against Aston Villa on Wednesday.

Very interesting – four changes.

Just look who is back on the Crystal Palace bench.

It’s been a tough season for Michael Olise, but he is back in the Palace squad today following a hamstring problem.

Other than Olise’s return to the squad, there is no other news – Palace are unchanged.

Just look how tight it is at the top!

These three teams are going hammer and tong in the race for the Premier League title, and none of them are going anywhere.

Who thought all three would still be within three points of each other at this stage? I know I didn’t.

That’s why it’s so fantastic!

Manchester City have been without their number one keeper, Ederson ever since he hobbled off in their 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.

Well, today he could potentially return.

Pep Guardiola confirmed that the Brazil international is back in contention to start after returning to training last week.

Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake are set to be sidelined, but knowing Pep, who knows?

It will be interesting to see how City line-up.

Manchester City sitting third in the table with just eight games to go, looks a little odd.

Pep Guardiola and his side are not used to this, it feels like they are almost always in control of their own destiny.

Well, not at the moment. City have to win to keep on the coattails of Arsenal and Liverpool, whose games aren’t until tonight and tomorrow.

The pressure can sometimes feel different when you’re chasing, but I don’t think anybody doubts that City can handle that stress.

They will be in the race until the very end.

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager, speaking to the press on Friday:

We’re third, not far away from the top of the Premier League, but if we drop points it will be almost impossible. So we have to win that game and after that we will have more time, not for recovery, but to prepare.

I have not had much time to see Real Madrid. I said, when we have been fighting for nine or 10 months for the Premier League, why should I be distracted now from this important game against Palace, when the distance is so close?

Although it is unlikely Crystal Palace will get sucked into a relegation battle, they are far from safety as it stands.

Oliver Glasner’s side sit 14th, eight points above Luton in the relegation zone, but their form has been poor of late.

With only one league win in their last five outings, Palace are in need of three points. They will be hard to come by today though.

If the hosts do find a win today though, you can all but say they will be safe.

A lot is riding on this game.

Crystal Palace love to cause Manchester City problems, but strangely they normally do so at the Etihad.

Selhurst Park has actually been a happy hunting ground for City in recent seasons, they are unbeaten there in their last eight league visits, winning six.

That doesn’t mean today will be straightforward though, a title race fixture never is.

If City slip up in any form today, their dreams of a fourth successive title will start to become more distant.

They might just put on a masterclass now that I said that.

It feels like Christmas, counting down the days, or in this case games.

This year’s title race certainly feels like a gift and Manchester City will be hoping they can wrap up three points today to take them level with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola knows himself that it won’t be easy though, Crystal palace have caused them more than a few problems during his tenure.

It’s another whopper of a day, and it starts in south London. Can Palace inflict major damage to City’s title hopes, or will Guardiola’s side close the gap at the top?

Let’s find out, shall we?