Josko Gvardiol is back in Manchester City’s starting lineup for the first time in five months, and the timing couldn’t be better. The Croatian defender, who last featured against Chelsea in early January, is one of six changes Pep Guardiola has made for tonight’s crucial Premier League clash.

Alongside Gvardiol, the returning Rayan Ait-Nouri, Phil Foden, Omar Marmoush, Savinho, and Abdukodir Khusanov inject fresh energy into the squad. Making way are Nathan Ake, Erling Haaland, Nico O’Reilly, Ryan Cherki, and Tijjani Reijnders—a clear signal that Guardiola is rotating with an eye on the finish line.

Tonight’s lineup reads: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo (C), Foden; Semenyo, Savinho, Marmoush. On the bench, Guardiola has firepower in reserve: Trafford, Dias, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Kovacic, Haaland, Cherki, and Doku.

With only three Premier League games remaining, every point is precious. Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Aston Villa are no pushovers—each has their own ambitions—but City need all nine points to keep the pressure on Arsenal. Improving goal difference is equally vital; a narrow win today could be the difference between a tense final day and a comfortable one.

Guardiola has promised the Blues will fight until the end, and history is on their side. City are unbeaten in their last eight league meetings with Palace (W5 D3) since a 2-0 home loss in October 2021. The Eagles have scored twice in each of their last four away trips to the Etihad, but only won once in that stretch. Meanwhile, City haven’t lost at home in the league since a 2-0 defeat to Spurs in their opening home game this season—a run of 16 matches unbeaten (W13 D3).

Pressure and expectation can weigh heavily, but this City squad knows how to handle it. Let’s see if they can deliver another statement performance tonight.