Manchester City continue their Premier League title push against Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium.
With Arsenal and Aston Villa not playing until Sunday, victory would see Man City move up to second in the table.
Palace meanwhile can go as high as 13th with a win if Bournemouth lose elsewhere.
Team News
Erling Haaland is a doubt for Man City after he missed their last two matches with a foot injury.
Jack Grealish (hip) is a doubt but Jeremy Doku (leg) and Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring) remain absent.
Palace will be without Jordan Ayew after he was red carded in their defeat against Liverpool.
Tyrick Mitchell is back in contention for selection following his recovery from a hip injury.
Dean Henderson (muscle), Sam Johnstone (calf), Rob Holding, Eberechi Eze (both ankle), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Jefferson Lerma (both hamstring), Odsonne Edouard (knee), and Cheick Docoure (Achilles) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Palace at Etihad Stadium in a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 16 December, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man City have claimed 13 points from their last six league meetings against Palace (W4, D1, L1).
- Palace have avoided defeat in three of their last five league visits to Man City (W2, D1, L2).
- Erling Haaland scored four goals in his two appearances against Palace last season.
- Man City have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four league matches at home (W2, D2), during which they scored 12 goals and conceded six goals.
- 11 of Palace’s 16 points this season have been claimed away from Selhurst Park.
Prediction
Having rested several regulars in their Champions League win away to Red Star Belgrade in midweek, Man City should hopefully be ready for a critical game if want to put pressure upon their title rivals whilst they head off to the FIFA Club World Cup.
Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens though will need to show better attacking end product because they were wasteful for much of their win at Luton, aside from two clinical if slightly lucky comeback goals from mistakes within Luton’s defence.
Palace meanwhile aren’t exactly in fine form with several injuries but they should be motivated after a harsh defeat against Liverpool, because they had played some solid defensive football and taken their chances well but just were undone by Liverpool’s extra-man advantage late on.
Roy Hodgson’s Eagles also seem to relish their trips to Man City so I do expect them to really take the fight to City, especially if the hosts are without two key attacking threats in Haaland and Grealish otherwise this will surely end in defeat.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Crystal Palace
Result: Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace
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