Manchester Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola insists the strain of the Premier League title race has not modified, even after Arsenal’s win at West Ham appeared to place the Gunners on the brink.
Leandro Trossard’s 83rd-minute strike proved sufficient for Mikel Arteta’s facet to clinch an enormous three factors on the London Stadium on Sunday.
They now know that two extra wins – at house to relegated Burnley and away at Convention League finalists Crystal Palace – will safe their first league crown in 22 years.
Metropolis are 5 factors behind Arsenal and play their sport in hand, at house to Palace, on Wednesday, earlier than dealing with Chelsea in Saturday’s FA Cup ultimate.
Guardiola’s males are assigned simply an 11.3% probability of overturning Arsenal’s lead by the Opta supercomputer, as they may absolutely want an ideal finish to the season and a minimum of one favour from elsewhere.
However when requested how the strain of the title race had shifted, Guardiola stated: “The identical as someday, two days, every week in the past, two weeks in the past… it’s the identical.
“Crystal Palace [is my focus focus], enthusiastic about what I’ve to do, to at all times be taught from my profession as a supervisor, what you may management, what you’ve not performed higher this season. We’re nonetheless combating.”
Guardiola was additionally requested concerning the controversial choice to disallow a possible stoppage-time equaliser for West Ham in opposition to Arsenal, with Callum Wilson’s strike chalked off after a four-minute delay as Chris Kavanagh dominated David Raya had been fouled by Pablo.
“It’s not the correct individual to ask,” Guardiola responded. “What was stated, was stated prior to now. It’s a query for the referees, what they resolve, not me.
“VAR has not been put in within the final weekend, it has been right here for a few years. We adapt; we all know it. Everyone is aware of it.”
This would be the first of two alternatives for Palace to have a say within the title race, as they’re Arsenal’s ultimate opponents on Could 24 – solely three days earlier than they face Rayo Vallecano within the Convention League showpiece.
However Guardiola is definite Oliver Glasner’s crew will play to the very best of their capacity in each matches, saying: “They’re so skilled. Crystal Palace will play prime in opposition to us.
“We noticed Leeds yesterday in opposition to Spurs, even being out of the relegation battle so they’re within the Premier League once more, how they competed.
“We performed Aston Villa right here prior to now, once they had nothing to play for, and the way tough it was. I’m positive they may do their finest, figuring out that they’ve the ultimate.”
Glasner desires his Palace gamers to play with freedom within the coming weeks, with the Eagles’ Premier League standing formally safe after West Ham’s defeat to Arsenal.
“We’re having fun with the ultimate weeks of the season,” Glasner stated. “A lot of the gamers can be found and feeling nicely, now now we have 4 nice video games left to play.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester Metropolis – Jeremy Doku
Doku has been concerned in seven targets in his final six appearances in all competitions (5 targets, two assists), as many as he had in his earlier 24 (one purpose, six assists).
As well as, every of his final three Premier League targets – two versus Everton and one in opposition to Brentford – have both put Metropolis one purpose forward or drawn them degree.
Crystal Palace – Jean-Philippe Mateta
Mateta has 49 Premier League targets and will turn out to be simply the second Crystal Palace to achieve 50, after Wilfried Zaha (68).
Nonetheless, solely 35% of his targets within the competitors have come away from house (17/49), with simply two of his 11 this time period approaching the street.
MATCH PREDICTION – MANCHESTER CITY WIN
Man Metropolis are unbeaten of their final eight Premier League video games in opposition to Crystal Palace (W5 D3) since a 2-0 house loss in October 2021.
Remarkably, Palace have scored precisely twice in every of their final 4 Premier League away video games in opposition to Metropolis, however have solely gone on to win a type of (D1 L2). The one visiting crew to attain a number of targets in 5 in a row on the Etihad are Tottenham (present run of 5).
And, since shedding 2-0 in opposition to Spurs of their opening house league sport this season, Metropolis are unbeaten of their final 16 on the Etihad (W13 D3). They’ve additionally opened the scoring in all 16 of those video games.
Midweek soccer below the Etihad lights
#AsahiSuperDry pic.twitter.com/PXk2u0Ea50
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) Could 11, 2026
Guardiola’s males are additionally unbeaten of their final 23 night kick-offs (7pm or later) within the Premier League (W17 D6) since a 1-0 loss at Aston Villa in December 2023. Nonetheless, 5 of their eight such video games in 2026 have been drawn (W3).
There will probably be loads of nerves across the Etihad, however the Opta supercomputer strongly fancies Metropolis to win this sport and hold the strain on Arsenal.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Manchester Metropolis – 78.3%
Crystal Palace – 8.7%
Draw – 13%
