Crystal Palace v Man City – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Crystal Palace host Man City at Selhurst Park on Monday night. This fixture could be a cracker with Patrick Vieira’s side in good form once again and having beaten Pep Guardiola’s team earlier this season. City can’t afford any slip-ups if Liverpool win their fixture and will need to turn around form them drop points in 2018, 2022 and 2021 against the Eagles.

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Crystal Palace Form

Palace have had a good season under Patrick Vieira with a new style of play and a young, exciting team. In the league, they are back in form (WDW) having had a six-match winless run before that with three home losses and three away draws.

The side are putting together a fine FA Cup run and factoring in their cup results, it’s just two defeats in 11 matches that came against Liverpool and Chelsea in the league. That latter defeat (1-0 in the 89^th minute) saw a strong display. They won 4-1 at Watford in the following match before a 1-1 home draw with Burnley. Their most recent league match showed their progress as they won 2-0 at Wolves.

Crystal Palace Team News

Palace have almost everyone fit. Joel Ward is missing but Nathaniel Clyne has impressed in his absence at right back. James McArthur also has a knock in midfield but the engine room is functioning well.

Vieira has loads of forward options as shown by Andre Ayew, Eberechi Eze and Odsonne Edouard all unused subs at Wolves. Jean-Philippe Mateta could keep his place upfront with Wilf Zaha and the brilliant Michael Olisa on either side.

Crystal Palace Motivation

Palace in recent seasons would have parked the bus in this fixture under Roy Hodgson. That brought them success in these City games, drawing 2-2 in 2020 and winning 3-2 in 2018 (both away from home). Vieira oversaw a 2-0 away victory in October but that came against ten men for 45 minutes.

This is a free hit at home and the side will take the game to Guardiola’s side on a narrow, night pitch on Monday night. They will play to win but know that a draw is also a top result.

Man City Form

City have won seven of their last ten matches in all competitions. After a 12 match winning steak was ended with a 1-1 draw at Southampton, they have won four of their last five. The one match they didn’t see victory was a 3-2 home defeat to Tottenham where they gave up far too many chances in transition.

This week they produced an unbelievable second half to beat Manchester United 4-1 at home having played out a fairly even first 28 minutes. They could only draw 0-0 at home with Sporting Lisbon in midweek but they held a 5-0 aggregate lead and rested numerous players in a game where they conserved energy.

Man City Team News

Ruben Dias is out injured for this one and Nathan Ake is also a doubt in defence. John Stones will partner Aymeric Laporte once again. Joao Cancelo has been ill and is touch-and-go to return at left-back otherwise Oleksandr Zinchenko will deputise.

Riyad Mahrez, Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri all got midweek rests and will start. Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus will have to settle for spots on the bench.

Man City Motivation

Nothing less than a win will do from this match. Liverpool are breathing down City’s necks and could close the gap to three points by the time this one kicks off.

Guardiola will know how difficult this fixture is and will set up to cover counterattacks against the speedy Zaha and Olise. A 1-0 win would suffice and he won’t open up to try to score multiple goals.

Key Stats

Palace have lost their last 3 home PL matches against City

Palace are winless in 4 home PL matches (LLLD)

Crystal Palace have conceded in 7 of their last 8 home PL matches

City have won 16 of their last 18 PL matches (L1, D1)

Man City are 13 away PL matches without defeat (W11)

City have kept 4 clean sheets in their last 6 away matches

Man City have won 5 of their last 6 PL matches at Palace (D1)

Verdict

This should be a really good game. Palace have the potential to cause an upset here, however, their home form is concerning and they leak goals at Selhurst Park. City should have enough to see off the Eagles but it won’t be an easy examination. Man City have won five of their last six Premier League matches at Palace too.