Crystal Palace vs Manchester City predictions: Eagles and Citizens can put on a show
- City snapped a seven-match winless run with a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday
- Palace have lost only three of the past six meetings
- Recommended bet: Both teams to score
Six defeats and a 3-3 draw with Feyenoord — in which they were 3-0 up with 15 minutes remaining, meaning it probably felt like a loss — preceded that relieving win, and the Citizens will be looking to build on it at Selhurst Park.
However, their hosts have put together a decent run of late and will be looking to build on their own crucial victory — a 1-0 win over relegation rivals Ipswich on Tuesday — suggesting that the champions may not have things all their own way in the capital.
Team news
Long-term absentees Chadi Riad, Matheus Franca and Rob Holding remain out for Palace while the game has also come too soon for Adam Wharton, who may return for the Brighton game.
Daichi Kamada is back from suspension but is unlikely to dislodge any of the starters from the Eagles’ crucial win at Ipswich.
Rodri remains out for City and his two obvious replacements, Mateo Kovacic and John Stones, are also on the sidelines alongside Oscar Bobb.
Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji were forced off against Forest and both are set to miss out.
The stats
Palace have lost just one of their last seven matches.
Both teams have scored in five of City’s last six away games.
None of the Eagles’ last five home matches have seen more than two goals.
The Citizens have failed to score on just one of their last six visits to Selhurst Park.
Both teams have scored in three of the past four meetings between these sides.
Prediction
After their crucial midweek wins, both of these sides will be eager to build some momentum this weekend, which could lead to plenty of goals at Selhurst Park.
A tactical tweak to bring Jack Grealish into the midfield against Forest seemed to work a treat and the champions looked far more cohesive in attack on Wednesday.
However, while that performance would worry most sides, Palace have a better record than most against Guardiola’s juggernauts, losing just three of their last six meetings with the Citizens.
Oliver Glasner’s side have also lost just one of their last seven matches, holding Newcastle and Aston Villa to draws and beating Tottenham in that run, suggesting they will give a good account of themselves in this clash.
A big reason for City’s recent woes has been the absence of Rodri. The champions look far more permeable without the Spaniard, as shown by both teams scoring in five of their last six away games.
With that same bet landing in three of the past four meetings between the pair and Palace in good form, it could pay to side with the same selection on Saturday.
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