Crystal Palace are winless in their last 10 Premier League home games against Manchester City with three draws and seven defeats coming since a 2-1 victory under Alan Pardew in April 2015.

Can they end that run this afternoon and best Pep Guardiola’s men?

His reaction to Manchester City’s 2-1 triumph in the Spanish capital was to argue they would have to play better in the knockout stages of the competition. At least now, with their manager thinking they only require four points to be fast-tracked to the last 16, they should be spared the play-off round that brought their elimination by Real last season. Yet if Guardiola may be football’s most famous perfectionist, it could have been the realist in him who spoke when he said: “In the last stages, you have to be better.”

The Crystal Palace boss says he has been keeping tabs on Man City’s recent performances and despite how strong they have been in front of goal he believes they have weaknesses that can be exploited.

“We watched them when they played at Fulham [a 5-4 win for City], because we had the next game against Fulham, and also their Real Madrid game away [a 2-1 win for City],” Glasner said.

“They’re very impressive, especially how they attack, how they create their chances, and how they score their goals. They scored two at Madrid, they scored five at Fulham, they scored three at home against Leeds.

“But on the other side, we could see that they are also giving opportunities to create chances and to score yourself. They conceded four against Fulham and conceded two against Leeds.”

Oliver Glasner’s fitness update for his Crystal Palace was upbeat despite some injury concerns.

The manager revealed: “All who played [against Shelbourne FC in the Conference League] should be fine, and then we hope that JP [Mateta] and Ismaïla Sarr are available for the game.

“Of course, we need to train with them and see if there is any reaction, but it looks good and looks okay right now.

“It will give us a few more options and it's important to have these options against City.”

Pep Guardiola skipped the pre-match media duties this week and was replaced by City’s assistant first team coach Kolo Toure who provided the latest updates on the fitness and availability of John Stones and Rodri.

“It was John’s thigh. That’s the problem. I’m sure it wasn’t something too big and I think he will be back soon,” Toure said of Stones before adding an update on Rodri.

He said: “Rodri is training well, and his rehab is going well. He is looking sharper and sharper.

“For sure we won’t see him for the weekend but he’s going through the process.”

The report from a famous Man City win at the Bernabeu...

If this is to prove the last game Pep Guardiola manages at the Bernabeu, what a way to go. And if it ends up as Xabi Alonso’s final match in charge of Real Madrid, what a quick, undignified end. A match that unravelled like a reign that began well.

An eight-minute meltdown brought Real a second successive home defeat. First Celta Vigo triumphed at the Bernabeu, now Manchester City have. A Real team with a mere two victories in eight games represent a club with a culture of impatience. Alonso could become its latest victim.

“It’s not up to me,” he admitted. “I am looking forward to the next game.” If he gets one.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Mateta.

Man City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Silva, Gonzalez, Foden; Cherki, Haaland, Doku.

Man City appear to have emerged from the Bernabeu win unscathed, with no new injury concerns for Pep Guardiola.

However, this match will come too soon for Rodri, who is expected back later this month, while John Stones and Mateo Kovacic remain sidelined.

Oliver Glasner continues to navigate a minor injury crisis, with at least five players likely to be absent for this weekend.

Daniel Munoz is the most recent addition to the list, with the defender requiring surgery on a knee injury, while Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad continue their recovery from ACL injuries. Caleb Kporha and Rio Cardines are still sidelined, with no concrete timelines for their returns.

Palace could be boosted by the return of Ismaila Sarr after he suffered an ankle issue, while Jaydee Canvot could return from illness, though Jean-Philippe Mateta faces a late fitness test after coming off against Fulham due to a minor knee injury.

Coming into today’s match Manchester City cannot afford to drop an points as they sit five points behind the current Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola’s men have won four of their last five league matches and are in a strong run of form with the re-emergence of Phil Foden and the prolific striking power of Erling Haaland.

City will look to close the gap back to two points and maintain the pressure of the Gunners who know that one slip up could cost them the advantage in the title race.

In comparison, Crystal Palace are also having a fine season and sit fifth in the table before today’s game.

Oliver Glasner’s men have won seven of their 15 matches so far and will jump back into the top four if they were to beat City at home.