Pep Guardiola will see if Man City players have learnt their lesson vs Crystal Palace

"It’s the atmosphere," Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira explained when he was asked about why his team are so good at Selhurst Park back in October.

On paper, a match against a mid-table Palace side should be seen as routine for Pep Guardiola's men. Sitting 12th in the Premier League, five points above the drop zone, the south London club should not prove to be a challenge for a Manchester City team which is rediscovering its mojo.

However, it is that laid-back approach which has led to the undoing of some of City's main Premier League rivals this season. Since the turn of the year, Palace have shown themselves to be rather formidable at home.

ALSO READ: City might get an unexpected Cancelo decision

Manchester United, Newcastle United, Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool have all had to come away from Selhurst Park with a share of the spoils. Against Erik ten Hag's side, Vieira praised his team's hard work defensively for keeping them in the match until the dying stages when Michael Olise stunned United with his free kick.

Those comments show the problem which City must now overcome. On Saturday evening, Palace will approach this game like many of their Premier League counterparts do.

Vieira's men will try to frustrate City and hit them on the break with their talented forward line. These types of matches last month led to serious questions being asked of the Blues.

Draws with Nottingham Forest and RB Leipzig showed an unhealthy characteristic in this City team. The Blues were struggling to see off opponents who made their lives difficult defensively.

City have recovered since then but Palace away is an opportunity to see if the February demons have been banished. Guardiola will be looking towards those in