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Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini wary of confident Crystal Palace

Manuel Pellegrini, manager of Manchester City walks out at Turf Moor
Image: Manuel Pellegrini: Expects a tough game at Selhurst Park

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini expects a tough contest against a Crystal Palace side who are ‘difficult’ team to beat at Selhurst Park.

Pellegrini could only look on as rivals Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United all recorded wins on Saturday, as City slipped to fourth in the table.

With the Manchester derby coming next week, City can ill afford to drop points on Monday but Pellegrini knows the Eagles have become a tough proposition under Alan Pardew.

"Maybe they are playing different,” Pellegrini said. “They are in a good moment and they are playing with a lot of trust.

"With the other manager (Neil Warnock) also Crystal Palace was a difficult team, but now they are playing at home."

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City have had more rest after the international break compared to their rivals which on paper seemed advantageous before yesterday’s round of games.

But Pellegrini insists the timing of the game makes no difference either way.

"I don't think we have excuses about those things,” the Chilean said. “We are going to play the last game of this matchday but that doesn't matter.

"It is not an excuse and not an advantage. All the national players arrived back on Wednesday - most of them - so every team had three or four days to prepare. It is not so important."

Watch Crystal Palace v Manchester City live on Sky Sports 1 HD, from 20:00 on Monday April 6