View from the opposition: Pep Guardiola and Marc Guéhi discuss facing Palace

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Crystal Palace take on Premier League title challengers Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night (20:00 BST) – here is what both Pep Guardiola and Marc Guéhi have had to say ahead of the game...

Factfile

Manager: Pep Guardiola
Nickname: The Citizens / The Blues
League Position: 2nd
Ground: Etihad Stadium
Founded: 1894 (132 years ago)

In his pre-match press conference Pep Guardiola discussed the challenge he expects from Palace in the rearranged fixture and why he doesn't believe the UEFA Conference League Final will prove a distraction, with the Eagles also due to face City's title rivals Arsenal on the final day.

"It has always been tough games," [for City] said Guardiola. "Particularly under Roy Hodgson and now Oliver [Glasner]. They have a European final so maybe they have struggled a little bit in the Premier League.

"But there have been a lot of changes – the Manager is leaving, which was announced a long time ago – and maybe they are not consistent, but the quality is there.

"They're so professional, the team. Crystal Palace will play top against us.

"We saw Leeds yesterday against Spurs - even being out of the relegation battle so they are in the Premier League again - how they compete.

"We played Aston Villa here in the past [the final day of 2021/22] and they had nothing to play for and it was so difficult. I am sure they will do their best, knowing that they have the final."

Guardiola also spoke about former Palace skipper Marc Guéhi who joined City in January.

The England international has only tasted defeat twice since moving to the Etihad Stadium and won the Carabao Cup in March, his second Wembley triumph in less than 12 months.

“I say one week later since arriving, it’s an incredible signing,” Guardiola said.

"His focus in every single detail, in the game, in his private life to be a professional is an unbelievable signing for this club. We are really pleased in his behaviour.

"How he accepts the bad moments and how he turned around immediately. That defines the big, big players in the big clubs, so we’re really pleased. I said many times."

Manchester City Team News

City have received a double injury boost in a big week for Guardiola's team, who also have the FA Cup Final on Saturday against Chelsea.

Rodri hasn't played since a win over Arsenal last month, but could be involved in Wednesday's game. However, this is dependent on how he came through training on Tuesday, which took place after the press conference.

Defender Abdukodir Khusanov picked up a knock in the 3-3 draw against Everton, but is also closing in on a return after missing the win over Brentford.

On Rodri, Guardiola said: “He is better. We will see in training this afternoon."

And on Khusanov’s progress, he added: "Better as well [he took a] tough knock against Beto when he played Everton. He’s better.”

View from the player: Guéhi on Palace reunion

Marc Guéhi will face Palace for the first time since leaving South London to join Manchester City in January.

And the England international says it will be a special occasion to be reunited with the side he won the FA Cup with last year.

"It’s nice, it’ll be nice to see old team-mates and old staff members from the club that gave me so much,” Guéhi said.

"I’m truly grateful to them and wouldn’t be here without them, it’s a game of a lot of significance for me."

Match Action: Crystal Palace 2-2 Manchester City

The Boss: Pep Guardiola

The most decorated manager of the modern generation, Pep Guardiola’s career in European football has been as transformative as it has been successful.

His Barcelona side will go down as one of the greatest in the history of the game, with success in Germany with Bayern Munich and a dominant spell in England cementing his legacy.

He has also shown a tactical flexibility in recent years, away from a rigid possession-based approach he was associated with early in his coaching journey. This flexibility was key to the historic treble win in 2022/23.

However, 2024/2025 was, thanks in part to Palace's FA Cup Final win, only the second season without major silverware for Guardiola in England.

That's not a bad record since first moving here with Manchester City back in 2016. He has already improved on last year this term, winning silverware in the form of the Carabao Cup.

With three league games remaining as well as the FA Cup Final ahead of Palace's visit, Guardiola could still win another domestic treble in 2025/26. This year will mark a decade in charge at the Etihad Stadium and it remains to be seen whether he will continue at the helm next year.

Pre-match Stat Attack

Palace have scored exactly twice in each of their last four Premier League away games against Man City, though have only gone on to win one of those (D1 L2). The only visiting team to score 2+ goals in five in a row at the Etihad Stadium, are Tottenham Hotspur (current run of five).
Since losing 2-0 against Spurs in their opening home league game this season, Man City are unbeaten in their last 16 at the Etihad (W13 D3). They’ve also opened the scoring in all 16 of these games.
Man City are unbeaten in their last 23 evening kick-offs (7pm or later) in the Premier League (W17 D6) since a 1-0 loss at Aston Villa in December 2023. However, five of their eight such games in 2026 have been drawn (W3).
Jean-Philippe Mateta has 49 Premier League goals, and could be just the second Crystal Palace to reach 50 after Wilfried Zaha (68).

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