Manchester City
City cannot afford anymore slipups in the Premier LeagueReuters

 Defending English Champions Manchester City travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace as they look to regain the second position in the Premier League.

The time for mistakes is now over as the Premier League season reaches its final stretch, with each side having only seven to eight fixtures remaining.

It may already be too late for City to defend the Premier League title as Chelsea, who have an extra game in hand, are currently seven points clear at the top of the table.

City's disappointing performances of late, which has seen them pick up only 15 points in their last 10 league fixtures, have also allowed the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United to catch up, temporarily overtaking them in the table.

Still City manager Pellegrini says that his side are prepared to fight until the very last game, insisting that they will be at least trying to finish as the runners up even if they fail to secure the Premier League title.

"It's important to play from now until the end of the season in a way that shows we are an important team and are prepared to fight until the last game to try to retain the title," the Chilean told the Mirror.

"It's important for our team to finish at the top of the table. But If we can't win the Premier League, then we must try to be second."

The Citizens are expected to beat Crystal Palace on Monday, but Pellegrini insists that his side will not be taking the Eagles for granted on Monday.

"Maybe they are playing different," Pellegrini told Sky Sports. "They are in a good moment and they are playing with a lot of trust."

Palace, on the other hand, will be under no pressure as they prepare to play hosts to City on Monday.

The Eagles currently sit comfortably in the 12 position, well clear of the relegation zone, with eight games remaining.

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Palace do have some difficult fixtures against Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool in addition to their game against City, but Pardew is certain that his side will be able to do well in these fixtures due to them playing well against the top teams this season.

"One of the important games this season was against Arsenal when we tried to compete with them toe to toe and gave a very good account of ourselves against a top team," Pardew told Sky Sports.

"Against the top teams - Southampton, Liverpool, Arsenal - we have been really close without toppling any of them."

"So that is the next step for me and we have a great opportunity because we also have Man United as well as City at home and Chelsea and Liverpool away."

Although the former Newcastle boss does not expect Palace to beat City, he is certain that his side will be causing some problems to Pellegrini's men on Monday.

"We will go on Monday night expecting to take the game to Man City," Pardew added. "I don't expect to beat them but I do expect us to push Man City and if we get ourselves in front this team could see it out."

"If we get to 15 minutes to go and are still leading, this team is one of the few that could see Man City off."

Expected Lineups:

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare, Ledley, McArthur, Zaha, Puncheon, Bolasie, Murray

Manchester City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy; Navas, Fernando, Toure, Silva; Bony, Aguero

Where to Watch Live

The EPL match is scheduled for pm 8.00 pm BST (12:30 am IST, 8 pm EDT), starting with live coverage in India on Star Sports 4 and Star Sports 4 HD in India. The game can also be watched via live streaming online in India on StarSports.com.

Catch the action live in the UK live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD, while viewers can also watch the watch online via live streaming on Sky GO. Catch the game live in the US on NBCSN, while the action can also be live streamed online on NBC Sports Extra.

Audience in the Middle East and North Africa can watch the game via live streaming online on Bein Sports Connect, while South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa viewers can do the same on SuperSport online. Australia viewers can watch the game on Fox Sports 4 and live stream it on Foxtel Play.