Man City are in action on Saturday afternoon against Crystal Palace as Pep Guardiola’s side continue their push for the Champions League spots in the Premier League.
The defending champions were handed a boost this week as it has been confirmed that England will have five teams in Europe’s elite competition next season.
That may be needed for Man City as the Manchester club currently sit sixth in the standings, one point away from Chelsea in fourth, as Guardiola saw his side impacted by Rodri’s injury at the start of the 2024/25 campaign.
| Position | Team | Played MP |
Won W |
Drawn D |
Lost L |
For GF |
Against GA |
Diff GD |
Points Pts |
| 4 |  ChelseaChelsea |
31 | 15 | 8 | 8 | 54 | 37 | 17 | 53 |
| 5 |  NewcastleNewcastle |
30 | 16 | 5 | 9 | 52 | 39 | 13 | 53 |
| 6 |  Man CityManchester City |
31 | 15 | 7 | 9 | 57 | 40 | 17 | 52 |
| 7 |  Aston VillaAston Villa |
31 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 46 | 46 | 0 | 51 |
With seven games to go, the competition for the final two Champions League spots will be hotly contested and looking ahead to next season, it is a necessity that Man City qualify for the competition as it will have an effect on their transfer activity.
Crystal Palace kick off the run-in for the Manchester club and Alan Shearer has noticed something about the team Guardiola has selected to face the Eagles.
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Alan Shearer notices an issue with Man City team
Man City let Kyle Walker leave for AC Milan in January and the right-back is one example of how the Manchester club’s squad has got weaker this season.
In addition to some big injuries, Guardiola has found it difficult to find his best 11 and ahead of Man City’s game with Crystal Palace, Shearer noticed that the Premier League champions selected a team that is too narrow.
“I understand the excitement of the younger boys coming through, but I think Guardiola knows he will have to spend to get back to being among the best,” the pundit said on BBC Radio 5 Live about City’s team pre-match. “The team today looks narrow to me, with the likes of Grealish and Doku on the bench.”
Guardiola opted to play James McAtee and Omar Marmoush in his wide positions for Saturday’s clash with Palace, which proved to be a problem in the opening 45 minutes.
What was also evident was how Crystal Palace were not afraid to have a go at the Premier League champions, which is something Shearer also believes teams have been doing to City throughout the current campaign.
Premier League teams are no longer afraid of Man City
There have been many issues at Man City this season and an area of concern heading into the summer for Guardiola will be his defence, which has conceded too many goals.
Shearer thinks this could be a result of teams no longer fearing the Premier League champions, an issue the former Newcastle star believes City should already have sorted out.
“Big players are able to adapt. Yes you have got your way that you have to play, but teams now are having a go at Manchester City,” Shearer said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Teams are without doubt having a bigger go at Man City than they have done ever. Yes, they are missing a freak of a goalscorer but you have to deal without having him and find a way to play.”
It does not look like Man City will figure this problem out between now and the end of the season but the main thing Guardiola needs to ensure is that his team reach the Champions League.
The post What Alan Shearer noticed about Man City’s bench for Crystal Palace clash appeared first on HITC.
