Al Jazeera takes a closer look at the clash between Premier League champions, Manchester City bogey team Crystal Palace.
WHO: Manchester City vs Crystal Palace
Contents: English Premier League
Location: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, UK
When: Saturday 12:30pm (11:40 GMT)
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said he “feels out of good” after Jack Grelish and Phil Foden were abused in separate incidents in a 0-0 draw at local rival Manchester United last weekend.
The man was charged with assault after being told that Grealish was slapped by his supporters when he left the field.
Guardiola was openly criticising fans after the match for an offensive chant about Foden’s mother during the match.
“If you look around, you’ll notice that we’re not on the right path,” Guardiola said Friday.
“They are [Foden and Grealish] It doesn’t feel good, but we move forward.
“It’s happening everywhere. It’s a crazy world, right? Everything happens not just in sports, it’s all over the world. No one’s left it.
“I know that happened at our clubs from time to time, but that’s not a problem with United, a particular club, or a particular division of world football. It happens everywhere.”
How is Man City season going?
At this stage of the season, City is used to competing for a Premier League title, but this time he will be sixth and scrapping just to compete in the Champions League next season.
This week, Guardiola had some good news for Guardiola by making sure that thanks to strong performances on the UK side at European competitions, it is enough to reach the Champions League.
Just six points separates the third Nottingham Forest from the seventh Aston Villa.
What has become of a problem for City this season?
City’s quest is not helped by a long list of injuries that includes Ballon d’Or Rodri, top scorer Erling Haaland, and key defenders John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake.
“We didn’t have a team all season, but we’ll adapt,” Guardiola added. “You can see it as a problem or a challenge. You can see that position as a disaster, but that could be bad.
“I’m really happy with the way we handled it.”
Weekend 👋pic.twitter.com/ES9NOILRX4
– Premier League (@premierleague) April 11, 2025
What is at risk in the Crystal Palace collision?
The match against the city’s palace will give the defending British champion the opportunity to climb to fourth place before Chelsea and Newcastle are active on Sunday.
“[Palace] It’s been a team that has been incredibly top form for the past two months and it’s always been difficult,” Guardiola added.
“I admire the managers, the way they play, the talent and physicality, but at the same time I’m optimistic that this season will end well.”
What is the city’s plan to reverse their end mise?
The 33-year-old Belgian playmaker Kevin de Bruin left City at the end of the season after a decade of success, so the club was expected to do some sort of transfer business in the window of the close season, but Guardiola was nervous about their plans.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen [in the summer]He said.
“Of course the club works, but the team doesn’t have 45 players, which is not sustainable for the team’s emotions.
“Without Kevin, they’re all on a contract and we’ll see how they behave and how we’re doing. We’re going to see.”
Man City Team News
Rodri, Erling Haaland, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake remain on the sidelines as long-term absentees.
The city has no other short-term doubts.
Crystal Palace Team News
Mark Guech and Eddie Nketia are suspended following the red card against Brighton in the Eagles’ final match.
Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards are both expected to be on defense, but Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucure remain in long-term absences.
