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

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

Some teams seem more significant than others in City’s calendar and Palace are certainly one. There have been a number of interesting and big meetings between the two in recent years, such as Manuel Pellegrini’s win there in 2014 or the New Year’s Eve stalemate in 2017 that ended the longest winning run in Premier League history.

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.