Guardiola admits Man City is at a disadvantage in the championship race

Before round 32 of the Premier League, Man City was third with 67 points, one point behind Arsenal and three points behind Liverpool. Since the three teams will not meet in the remaining nine rounds, only Liverpool has the right to decide. That means Jurgen Klopp's team will end Man City's three-year dominance, if they win all.

Guardiola insists Man City will fight to the end, but admits they are losing the title race because they depend on the results of their rivals. "I hope Liverpool and Arsenal drop points, but that doesn't solve the problem if we don't win," he said at a press conference ahead of today's match against Crystal Palace in round 32. "We have to win the remaining matches and wait. If we are top, we have the right to decide, but that's not the case."

Man City have won 10 and drawn three - all against Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal - in their last 13 Premier League games. But that's not enough for the defending champions to dominate. Explaining this, Guardiola said: "The quality of the opponent, it's that simple. We have to try to catch up and fight until the end."

City are unbeaten and have not conceded a goal at Selhurst Park since 2019. But Guardiola remains wary of Crystal Palace, who are strong at home and field a solid and physical back five. The 53-year-old also sees the midday London time game as giving City more time to rest ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on April 9.

Manchester City could welcome back goalkeeper Ederson today, but Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake remain sidelined through injury. Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland - the substitutes from the win over Aston Villa - could remain sidelined for next week's game against Real.