Pep Guardiola believes Jack Grealish's move into midfield could help Manchester City build some momentum when they visit Crystal Palace, having finally halted their winless run.

City had gone seven games without a win across all competitions, losing four in a row in the Premier League to slip well behind Liverpool in the title race.

However, they got back to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, with Grealish excelling in a new-look midfield role.

Grealish created three chances for team-mates and completed 57 of his 58 passes, with his pass accuracy of 98.3% the best recorded by any City starter.

Guardiola feels he could be a long-term solution in that position, with City searching for the right balance after losing Rodri to a long-term injury.

He said of Grealish: "He played in the middle and was involved in many things.

"Hopefully in the next games, if I decide to play him in that position, he can be involved in the final third and decisive in goals and assists.

"We controlled the game, and Jack gave us that pace. When to accelerate and control, he did it really good. I'm so happy for him.

"I know his quality. He has attributes to play holding midfield, keep the ball, break the lines and composure."

The fit-again Kevin De Bruyne played in front of Grealish and registered a goal and an assist, and the Belgian believes now is the time for City to go on a positive run.

"It's been a tough time but we tried to change it," he said. 

"Unfortunately we've got a few guys who are injured so it's what is happening this year. But we'll try and recover as quickly as possible."

Opponents Palace should also enter Saturday's game in better spirits, having claimed a huge 1-0 victory over fellow relegation candidates Ipswich Town on Tuesday.

Head coach Oliver Glasner knows building on that win is now the name of the game, saying: "We had more chances to decide the game. We couldn't but the win was well deserved.

"It's a big win. Now it's not time to sit back and relax but to keep going. 

"In four days we face Manchester City. We stay humble. There are still many things to improve but we are on the right path."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Crystal Palace – Jean-Philippe Mateta

Palace forward Mateta has scored on each of his last two Premier League appearances against City (two goals). 

No Palace player has ever scored in either three games in a row against City or in three in a row against the reigning Premier League champions, but he will hope to do so after hitting the only goal in their midweek win at Ipswich.

Manchester City – Kevin De Bruyne

De Bruyne has been involved in four goals in his last four starts in the Premier League for Man City (two goals, two assists), both scoring and assisting against Forest last time out.

He has also had a hand in 12 goals against Crystal Palace in the competition (four goals, eight assists), only having more against Southampton (14).

MATCH PREDICTION – MANCHESTER CITY WIN

Palace have won just two of their last 18 Premier League games against Man City (four draws, 12 losses), and both of those victories have come at the Etihad Stadium (in December 2018 and October 2021).

They have also lost seven of their last nine home Premier League games against City, drawing the other two, since a 2-1 victory in April 2015.

City have lost their last five away games in all competitions, last losing six in a row back in February 1994. The last reigning top-flight champions to lose six away games in a row were City themselves during the 1968-69 campaign.

But despite City's struggles, the Eagles are big outsiders for this one. Having won five of their seven Premier League home games under Glasner last term (one draw, one loss), Palace have won just one of their seven at Selhurst Park this season (three draws, three losses).

Neutrals might be entitled to expect entertainment, though. Since Guardiola joined City in 2016, Palace have scored multiple goals against the Citizens in six different Premier League games – only Tottenham (nine) have done so more often in this time.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Crystal Palace – 20.7%

Manchester City – 56.5%

Draw – 22.7%