Pep Guardiola preview Crystal Palace match, looks back on West Ham loss to Arsenal 

There is just one mid week match in the Premier League this season, and it’s one that could all but give Arsenal the title should Manchester City lose to Crystal Palace at the Etihad on Wednesday. Pep Guardiola gave a press conference today where the looked back on the league leaders narrow win over the weekend before previewing the massive match against Palace.

Pep expects professional Palace

For Manchester City, they know there is no margin for error. They have to win each of their three remaining matches they have left in the Premier League campaign. They were able to draw level with Arsenal a few weeks ago, but a 3-3 draw with Everton at Hill Dickson Stadium put them back behind the eight ball and taking control of their own destiny out of City’s hands.

With Palace in 15th place in the table and not fighting for Europe nor are they fighting from relegation, Oliver Galsner’s men won’t have much on the line against City Wednesday night, but Pep knows better. “They are so professional. Crystal Palace will play top against us,” said the Spaniard. “We saw Leeds against Spurs yesterday, how they are now out of the relegation battle, but how they compete.”

Palace have a European final coming, and while that is the biggest upcoming match on their end of season schedule Pep knows that this could serve as a tune up for Palace when they meet Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Conference League Final at the end of the month. “So I ‘m pretty sure they will do their best even though they have a final a few days later.”

Pep curves VAR question

Guardiola was of course asked about his reaction to the Arsenal win over the weekend, but the City boss was quite aloof in his answer. “I am not the right person to ask. What has been said is in the past. It is a question for the referees on what they decide, not me. VAR has been here for many years. We adapt, we know it, everyone knows it.”

Arsenal earned three points against West Ham from London Stadium on Sunday afternoon, but the win was shrouded in controversy after a late goal from Callum Wilson was disallowed following a long VAR review from the ref. The win keeps Arsenal five points ahead of City heading into the make up match against Palace on Wednesday. Meanwhile the West Ham loss meant they trail Tottenham by two points and are in the drop zone with two matches to go.

City will have to win on Wednesday against Palace before turning their attention to their final two games of the season Premier League season. They also have an FA Cup final against Chelsea coming up this weekend before ending the season at Bournemouth and against Aston Villa. Meanwhile Arsenal will have to win out in their home match against already relegated Burnley, and against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park Stadium.

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