Manchester City finally ended their seven-game winless run with a 3-nil win over Nottingham Forest earlier this week. The win at the Etihad Stadium was exactly what Pep Guardiola’s side needed. Now they are continuing their preparations for this weekend’s Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday. The game is a chance for the world champions to build some momentum after their recent winless run.

The task that awaits Pep Guardiola’s side at Selhurst Park could be a tough one. Typically, Crystal Palace gives the champions a tough test at Selhurst Park. Although Oliver Glasner’s side sits 17th in the Premier League table, there is quality in their ranks. Eberechi Eze and Jean-Phillipe Mateta are just two of the threats in the Crystal Palace lineup. They are also a strong and physical team which is something that has caused City issues of late.

But despite this Manchester City can start to build some momentum if they can pick up a win on Saturday. While City’s performance against Nottingham Forest wasn’t perfect there were signs on display that potentially Pep Guardiola’s side have turned a corner. If they pick up three points at Selhurst Park it could set them up for the busy December schedule. It won’t be an easy task for City to pick up three points on Saturday but they are more than capable of doing so.

The world champions will enter Saturday’s match with a depleted defence. John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji will all likely miss Saturday’s match. That is one hurdle Pep Guardiola and his team must navigate to help his team pick up a win over Crystal Palace. His team is also attempting to get their form back on track after their recent winless run. So those are two factors for City to overcome tomorrow.

But if they can pick up three points at Selhurst Park it could see Manchester City start to build some momentum. We have seen what happens in previous seasons when they do. Crystal Palace will likely be no pushover at home but the challenge is there for Pep Guardiola’s side to pick up a crucial victory. If they can it may be looked back upon as the week when City built momentum for what lies ahead. That is what is at stake during tomorrow’s match at Selhurst Park.