Crystal Palace look to continue their improved form as they welcome title chasing, Manchester City to Selhurst Park.
Palace could climb into the top five with a win and leapfrog Man City in the process, whilst the Citizens could temporarily cut their gap to league leaders – Liverpool down to five points if can take all three points.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesMamadou Sakho is Crystal Palace’s only doubt as he continues to battle an undisclosed injury, which has kept him out of recent matches.
Luka Milivojevic could return to the starting eleven after serving an one match ban last time out against West Ham.
Manchester City could welcome Kevin De Bruyne back into the starting eleven after the midfielder missed their last two games with a groin injury.
John Stones (muscle) and Benjamin Mendy (thigh) are also set to return to City’s match day squad.
Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane are still absent with serious knee injuries.
Form
Crystal Palace have lost just one of their last six league games and have been consistent at home with two wins and draws apiece, of which they opened the scoring in their last three home league games since an opening weekend goalless draw against Everton.
Man City suffered their second defeat in their last five league games last time out, after falling to a shock home defeat by Wolves but are unbeaten in five of six away games in all competitions this season.
Stat Attack
- Crystal Palace have won just one of their last five meetings with Manchester City in all competitions (W1, D1, L3).
- Man City haven’t done the league double over Palace since the 2016-17 season.
- Luka Milivojevic scored for Palace in both meetings with the Citizens last season.
- Sergio Aguero has produced 30 shots in eight appearances for Man City this season, of which two hit the woodwork.
- Milivojevic is the first player to have served a ban this season for picking up five yellow cards.
Prediction
Man City simply have to win here to realistically keep Liverpool within sight because they could easily be down to fourth by kick-off, if results elsewhere go against them.
Palace meanwhile will be underdogs so can afford to go and take risks here although if they can keep Man City level or within sight come the hour mark, a point is a realistic prospect.
City however do have plenty of weapons on the pitch and bench, which could very well prove the difference here if Palace opt for a counter approach.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester City
Result: Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City