Crystal Palace vs Man City – Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Pep Guardiola drops Phil Foden despite midweek hat-trick

Anonymous: Nothing to do with City playing Real Madrid on Tuesday I suppose. When you have a good squad you can afford to rest some players, especially when 3 points are in the bag vs Palace today.

I wouldn’t speak too soon, you never know…

Marc Guehi, Crystal Palace defender, speaking to TNT Sports:

You do the work beforehand in the week, analyse their game. He [Erling Haaland] likes to run in behind, so that’s the first thing, so whenever Kevin De Bruyne or one of their top players is on the ball, he’s always on his bike. Making sure you cover the space and are always touch-tight in the box. It’s easier said than done!

They’re one of the best in the league. They’ve got big players everywhere – I don’t think people realise! Rodri, Stones, Haaland. You’re playing top teams so it’s always marginal stuff.

Most times I ask this question I get a resounding yes.

However, is this year different? City are still fighting for the treble and have a huge match with Real Madrid in the Champions League in the coming week.

So can they claw back the points to win an unprecedented fourth Premier League title in a row?

Let us know what you think!

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager, speaking to TNT Sports:

It was difficult [to leave Foden on the bench]. It’s always tough but we have a lot of games. Phil played against Arsenal, 96 minutes, and friendly games for the national team, and he couldn’t move. It’s a lot of games and that’s why we decided on that. If we win, great decision, if we lose, why did you do that?’

After tomorrow, we travel to Madrid. We need sometimes fresh. I would love to have Phil on the pitch. I’m not stupid! I like him. A lot of games, a lot of players, that’s why I decide for that [to leave him out].

It’s the first time [I’ve been in a three-way title race]. What are Arsenal doing here?

Don’t worry Arsenal fans, he was only joking!

Jack Gaughan, Mail Sport, at Selhurst Park:

Guardiola has done what he did midweek: mix it up. If City are going to challenge for everything they’ll need to keep players fresh.

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?