Manchester City will be desperate to pick up three points against Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Following on from their nil-all draw with Manchester United last weekend Manchester City take on Crystal Palace this weekend at the Etihad. It is another crucial Premier League fixture for Pep Guardiola’s side. Given that securing Champions League football is City’s only priority in the league they must pick up three points on Saturday. But they will face a tough Crystal Palace side this weekend. Simply put, Manchester City have to win on Saturday. If they don’t they may fall further behind in the race to secure Champions League football for next season.

Looking at the Premier League table shows that Manchester City are precariously placed in the battle for Champions League football. They currently sit 6th on the table. They are one point behind Chelsea and Newcastle who sit 4th and 5th on the table. Aston Villa sit seventh a point behind Pep Guardiola’s side. With seven games to go in the Premier League season, Pep Guardiola’s side can’t afford to drop too many points for the remainder of this season.

This weekend they’ll take on a quality Crystal Palace outfit. The Palace lineup is filled with quality despite them only sitting 11th in the league table. Any team that has Jean-Phillpe Mateta and Eberechi Eze up front is a threat. Adam Wharton could give Manchester City’s midfield a tough fight on Saturday. Marc Guehi is a quality centre-back and leader at the back. There is more quality in Oliver Glasner’s side and they do play a style of football that could give Pep Guardiola’s side issues.

But whatever happens on Saturday Manchester City must pick up three points at the Etihad. They can’t afford to fall any further behind in the race for Champions League football. If they do they may not be able to recover due to the way they’ve played across this season.