Pep Guardiola insists ‘every game is a final’ as he prepares to take Manchester City to Crystal Palace this weekend.
City will be looking to bounce back from Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat at Tottenham in the Champions League, and travel to Selhurst Park to face Roy Hodgson’s side on Sunday.
A win will move the champions back to the top of the Premier League, with current leaders Liverpool facing Chelsea in the day’s later fixture, and Guardiola insists every game is vital as the season reaches its conclusion.
“We knew it from weeks ago, how it would be between the games against Tottenham in Champions League,” Guardiola said in his pre-match media briefing.
“Palace are well organised and up front they have good players. We have six games left, so we know what we are playing for.
“At the end of the season, every game is a final.”
Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane could start for City having started as substitutes in midweek, whilst Benjamin Mendy could also return at left-back with Oleksandr Zinchenko missing out through injury.