Manchester City are beginning to build momentum but they face a tough test against Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Manchester City will enter today’s pivotal Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park off the back of four consecutive victories in all competitions. Pep Guardiola’s side scraped their way to wins over Leeds United and Fulham. They put in arguably their best performance of the season to beat Sunderland 3-nil last weekend at the Etihad. They followed that win with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. It is clear that this City side is beginning to build real momentum ahead of a critical stage of the 25/26 season. They’ll face a tough test against a well-organised Crystal Palace side to continue the momentum they have built.

Ruben Dias believes that this Manchester City is in a good spot but they must continue to grow.

We are now seeing that Pep Guardiola’s side is developing the tough edge that previous Manchester City sides have been renowned for. City scrapped and fought their way to a crucial win against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and that win should fill this City side with confidence and self-belief. The win over Real Madrid was Manchester City’s fourth consecutive win in all competitions and the manner of City’s win in Madrid showed that this City side is in a good position ahead of a critical stage of the 25/26 season.

In an interview with mancity.com, Ruben Dias has shared his belief that this new-look City team is in a good position. But they must continue to progress and grow if they wish to continue their momentum and challenge for honours at the end of this season. He explained: “We all have to work out how we can be as profitable as possible for the team. For the team. And in that sense, I think that as one of the captains, as one of the team leaders, you have and we have this mission to make it very clear what the essentials are – the things our team can’t live without.”

“And I think we’re getting better and better at that. In that sense, everyone feels and knows exactly how they can best contribute to the team. I feel like we’re in a good place, but I still feel we have a lot of progress to make.”

Crystal Palace are a team that will test Pep Guardiola’s side at Selhurst Park.

Pep Guardiola’s side will face a tough test against Crystal Palace today if they wish to continue their recent momentum and continue the process of growing as a team. Oliver Glasner’s side is tough to beat at Selhurst Park and they are a team that is well-organised defensively and is also packed with quality all over the pitch. Defensively, Palace have the second-best defence in the Premier League. They have only conceded 12 goals in 15 Premier League matches and their defensive solidity forms the foundation of their play. Marc Guehi and Maxine Lacroix form the backbone of their defence. Dean Henderson is a proven Premier League goalkeeper who helps give Palace a strong defensive foundation.

But Crystal Palace are more than just a solid defensive outfit. With Jean-Philippe Mateta, Adam Wharton, Daniel Munoz, Yéremy Pino and Eddie Nketiah in their lineup, they do pack a punch in the final third. Oliver Glasner’s squad is well-constructed and they will pose a tough challenge for Manchester City to overcome today.

Summary.

Manchester City have built real momentum in recent matches. They are also growing as a team and the scope for them to grow even further is clear to see. They’ll face a tough test against a quality opponent today in Crystal Palace. Oliver Glasner’s side has the talent to provide a stern test for Pep Guardiola’s side. If City can overcome Palace at Selhurst Park it could be a result that could see them progress as a team as Ruben Dias has demanded.