Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned his players to avoid a costly mistake when they host Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. With the Premier League title race entering its final stages, a win is essential for City to keep pressure on league leaders Arsenal.
Must-Win Clash for City
City currently trail Arsenal by five points, though the Gunners have played one more match. A victory against Palace would reduce the gap to two points and increase the pressure on Arsenal ahead of their home game against Burnley on Monday, May 18. However, any slip-up—whether a loss or a draw—would end City's title aspirations this season.
Guardiola's Warning
Speaking to Sky Sports, Guardiola emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and not relying on match officials or the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The Spaniard's comments came after Arsenal benefited from a controversial VAR decision that disallowed West Ham's late equalizer in their recent match.
"What is important is tomorrow, then we'll see what happens when we get to the next one. I always learned that when you lose focus, you're in a dangerous situation," Guardiola said. "Only we can do what we have to do and do it better. That is only in our control."
Guardiola expressed distrust toward officiating in England, noting that his side lost the last two FA Cup finals to Manchester United and Crystal Palace due to refereeing errors. He added that even with VAR, teams must perform better to avoid relying on controversial decisions.
"You have to do it better. Do it better. If you want to be in that position, do better because you have to blame yourselves. That [VAR] is a flip of a coin. You have to do it better yourself," he added.
Team News
City could be boosted by the return of midfielder Rodri and defender Abdulkodir Khusanov, both of whom have been sidelined with fitness issues in recent matches. Their availability would strengthen Guardiola's options as his side seeks a crucial victory.
Guardiola has also admitted that his team is under pressure, though he has maintained a calm demeanor in press conferences. The manager stressed that the focus must remain on their own performance rather than external factors.
