Crystal Palace vs Man City: Match Preview & predictions
Crystal Palace vs Man City: Match Preview & predictions. Manchester City will sure be desperate to make it two wins on the bounce when they visit 17th-placed Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.
The reigning Premier League champions had lost six of their previous seven outings in all competitions prior to Wednesday night’s 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. Kevin De Bruyne returned to the starting lineup and inspired the triumph as Man City reduced the gap between them and league leaders Liverpool to nine points.
Crystal Palace were securing their own significant victory midweek as they narrowly overcame Ipswich Town at Portman Road. Tuesday’s 1-0 win courtesy of Jean-Philippe Mateta’s second-half strike means the Eagles are now three points above the relegation zone heading into Saturday’s challenging encounter.
Here is how we preview Saturday’s clash at Selhurst Park.
What time does Crystal Palace vs Man City kick-off?
Location: London, England
Stadium: Selhurst Park
Date: Saturday 7 December
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
Referee: Rob Jones
VAR: Stuart Attwell
Crystal Palace vs Man City H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Crystal Palace: 0 wins
Man City: 3 wins
Draws: 2
Last meeting: Crystal Palace 2-4 Man City (6 April 2024) – Premier League
Crystal Palace team news:
Oliver Glasner has plenty of options ahead of the visit of Man City but still remains without influential midfielder Adam Wharton. The youngster underwent groin surgery in November and while close to a return, he won’t be available at the weekend.
Chadi Riad and Matheus Franca are still sidelined with long-term problems that have seen them miss months of action. 19-year-old Franco Umeh-Chibueze is also absent, although the left winger is yet to make a senior appearance for the Eagles despite being named on the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in the campaign.
Glanser is unlikely to make any significant changes to the side that beat Ipswich, although Jefferson Lerma could come into midfield after replacing Cheick Doucoure at half-time against Ipswich.
Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs Man City
Crystal Palace (5-2-3): Henderson; Munoz, Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell; Hughes, Lerma; Sarr, Mateta, Eze.
Man City team news:
Man City have been struggling with injuries this season and Pep Guardiola was dealt another blow midweek. Nathan Ake was withdrawn late in the victory over Forest with a hamstring problem and is expected to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Phil Foden missed the clash through illness and could return at Selhurst Park, but Mateo Kovacic, Rodri, Oscar Bobb and John Stones will all be unavailable for the journey to the capital.
Stefan Ortega has started the last two matches for Man City but Ederson could be restored to the XI following a rest. Kyle Walker could come into the lineup as well following an expected defensive reshuffle due to Ake’s injury.
De Bruyne made his first start since mid-September against Forest and was the standout performer with a goal and assist. Guardiola will be keen not to overwork the Belgian but he has little choice but to start him again on Saturday.
Man City predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace
Man City (4-1-4-1): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Gundogan; Savinho, De Bruyne, Silva, Doku; Haaland.
Crystal Palace vs Man City score prediction:
Guardiola will hope Man City have turned a corner after their convincing midweek victory but defensive vulnerabilities remain for the reigning champions. In front of a raucous Selhurst Park crowd, those weaknesses will be put to the test.
However, while Palace have improved in recent weeks, they remain an unpredictable unit. They have managed just six points from seven home matches this term and face a potentially resurgent Man City side led by the magical De Bruyne.
This will be far from straightforward for a Man City side desperate to rediscover their form but they should get the job done in London.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-2 Man City
