After a resounding return to winning ways on the weekend against Brentford, Pep Guardiola and his men must now look to keep the momentum going as they host Crystal Palace.
The Blues did all they could to keep the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the league with a 3-0 win on Saturday against Keith Andrews’ Brentford side. It was another controlled display from Guardiola’s side, who once again showed their ability to dominate possession and dictate the tempo throughout large periods of the contest.
It would take until the second-half for Manchester City to break the deadlock in that one with a goal that was well worth the wait, courtesy of Jeremy Doku’s third goal in as many matches. The Belgian continued his impressive recent form with a sharp finish, helping City take full control before eventually cruising towards another valuable three points.
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In the 75th minute, Erling Haaland grabbed his 26th Premier League goal of the season, capitalising on a six-yard box scramble to turn the ball into the Brentford net with a backheel. All in its the Norwegian’s 40th goal of the season for Manchester City, yet another mind blowing tally, with three league games and an FA Cup final still to play.
And finally, it was Omar Marmoush’s turn to get back amongst the goals, netting his seventh of the season across all competitions.
The late strike rounded off a commanding afternoon for Guardiola’s side and could yet prove significant in the title race, as City’s three-goal haul strengthened an already superior goal difference advantage over Arsenal heading into the final weeks of the campaign. the superior goal difference figure.
Next up for City is Crystal Palace, who may have struggled for consistency in recent weeks but will arrive with confidence after securing their place in this season’s UEFA Conference League final.
Palace have lost just two of their last six matches, leaving them 14th in the Premier League heading into this encounter. With hopes of securing European qualification through the league now all but over, it remains to be seen whether Oliver Glasner opts to rotate key players amid a demanding schedule leading up to their European final.
It is up to Manchester City to make sure that they keep the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal going into these final few games, as they look to secure their first league title in 20 years.
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Here is how we predict Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side will line up on Wednesday night!
Starting XI
Between the sticks, Gianluigi Donnarumma has kept 14 clean sheets across 32 Premier League games this season.
Built for the biggest occasions, few goalkeepers in world football possess more experience at the highest level than the Italian, and he will no doubt back himself to play a decisive role in ensuring Manchester City maintain their advantage over Arsenal on goal difference.
At right-back, it will be Matheus Nunes. It is beginning to look as if City have one of the world’s best fullbacks on their hands in the form of a midfielder, who struggled for game time in his natural position.
Nunes’ story this season is one of resilience and perseverance, where at one point it looked certain that he would be moving on, it’s now nearly impossible to imagine anyone replacing him.
Marc Guehi and Nathan Ake paired up on Saturday to brilliant effect, dovetailing as if they’d been partnered up for the entire season.
At one point this season it looked as if Ake might not be quite up to his best, whether it be due to injuries or otherwise, but in recent appearances he has rolled back the years. With Abdukodir Khusanov missing the Brentford win with injury, Ake has another opportunity to show exactly what he’s made of.
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In left back, who else but Nico O’Reilly? Week after week, O’Reilly continues to put in stellar performances, playing at a level far beyond his years.
The 21-year-old continues his excellent partnership with Jeremy Doku, with the pair challenging the Brentford defence with constant pressure on the left flank. Rayan Ait-Nouri will likely be rested for the upcoming FA Cup final with a very tight fixture schedule in the final fortnight of the campaign.
Guardiola opted to utilise Tijjani Reijnders in the holding midfield role against Brentford, but based on previous fixtures, Nico Gonzalez seems the most likely option, with Rodri having only just returned to light training.
Presumably Nico was left out of the Brentford line-up with goal difference in mind, with Guardiola favouring the more attacking Reijnders. But with City now ahead on that front, keeping it that way might require a slightly bigger defensive presence for this one.
Bernardo Silva and Rayan Cherki looks to be the winning formula in midfield this season. While Cherki had a quiet game by his lofty standards at the weekend, Guardiola will be fully aware of what he offers and it feels unlikely that any change will be made there.
As for Silva, his involvement at this stage of the season is a no-brainer. The Manchester City captain will give everything it takes to keep his side in the title race, especially with this being his final season.
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Antoine Semenyo has endured a quiet spell in recent weeks but with the quality he offers in front of goal, you’d have to imagine Guardiola will persist with the Ghanian.
Savinho and Phil Foden looked lively off the bench on Saturday and it seems as if it might be best to continue utilising them in that way. With that said, Semenyo will need to pick the form back up if he is to remain untouchable.
After a quiet spell through the start of the year, Erling Haaland has picked up where he left off, with eight goal involvements in seven games. The Norwegian marksman is in unstoppable form right now and shows no sign of letting up. He remains untouchable in the starting line-up.
Another player in remarkable form Jeremy Doku, with three goals in the last two games – and if the Blues are to lift the Premier League trophy in two weeks, it will be the Belgian they have to thank.
Doku seems to have taken criticism of his lack of goal output in the best way possible and looks more dangerous than ever right now. Without his performances over the last few matches, you have to wonder if the title would have slipped away fully by now.
Starting XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Ake, O’Reilly; Nico, Bernardo; Cherki, Semenyo, Haaland, Doku
Substitutes: Trafford, Dias, Stones, Ait-Nouri, Kovacic, Reijnders, Savinho, Foden, Marmoush
