As the Premier League title race heats up, Pep Guardiola is fully aware that Crystal Palace won't be an easy opponent—even if their minds might be elsewhere. Manchester City face the Eagles in a rearranged midweek clash, with Guardiola's side needing a win to keep the pressure on league leaders Arsenal.

Palace, managed by Oliver Glasner, are in a unique position. Not only do they face City on Wednesday, but they're also scheduled to take on Arsenal on the final day of the season. That means the south London side could effectively decide where the Premier League trophy ends up. However, with a Conference League final looming just days after that Arsenal match, Glasner has hinted at squad rotation. "I'm responsible for Crystal Palace," he said over the weekend. "Not for City and not for Arsenal."

Despite the possibility of a rotated lineup, Guardiola isn't taking anything for granted. "They are so professional," he told reporters on Tuesday. "Crystal Palace will play top against us." Drawing on recent examples, he pointed to how even teams with little at stake—like Leeds against Spurs, or Aston Villa and West Ham in past seasons—have still made life difficult for top sides. "I'm pretty sure they will do their best even though they have a final a few days later," Guardiola added. "The quality is there."

A win for City would cut Arsenal's lead to just two points, with both teams having two games left to play. Guardiola had previously hoped for a favor from West Ham, famously ending a press conference with a chant of "Come on you Irons" before their clash with Arsenal. But the Hammers were denied a late equalizer by a VAR review, leaving City with no margin for error.

For now, Guardiola is keeping his focus on Palace. "I didn't see the players yet," he said, explaining he gave them a day off. "Crystal Palace—thinking what we have to do."