Crystal Palace meet Manchester City in a huge Premier League encounter at Selhurst Park.
Victory would lift Palace back up to fourth in the table, whilst second-placed Man City can move back to within two points of league leaders, Arsenal, with a win.
Team News
Jean-Philippe Mateta is set to return for Palace after he missed their UEFA Conference League victory at Ireland’s Shelbourne, due to management of a knee injury.
Jaydee Canvot was also absent after he reported for travel to Shelbourne with illness, which forced manager – Oliver Glasner to send him home to rest up, but Canvot is set to return here.
Ismaila Sarr (ankle) could return but Cheick Doucoure, Chadi Riad, Daniel Munoz (all knee), Rio Cardines (adductor) and Caleb Kporha (back) remain absent.
Man City could welcome John Stones back from a thigh injury, which forced the defender to miss their wins over Sunderland and Real Madrid.
Mateo Kovacic (foot) and Rodri (hamstring) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Palace host Man City at Selhurst Park on Sunday 14 December at 2pm GMT, live on Sky Sports Premier League in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Crystal Palace are winless in their last seven league meetings against Man City (D3, L4).
- Man City have avoided defeat in their last ten league visits to Palace (W7, D3).
- Erling Haaland has scored in each of Man City’s last three visits to Palace (W2, D1).
- Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored five goals in three of Palace’s last four league games at home (W1, D2, L1), only drawing blank in a goalless draw against Brighton.
- Erling Haaland has scored in all three of Man City’s league trips to London this season (W2, D1).
Prediction
Currently in the middle of a hectic run of fixtures. Glasner has done a solid job of rotating his squad because I personally would of rested Mateta anyway at Shelbourne, but I do think that he could of rested more regulars after seeing how fatigue affected them after their last three-day turnaround a fortnight ago.
Man City meanwhile had a difficult trip to Real Madrid and could of easily let their focus drop after they fell behind, yet this team knuckled down and turned the game around before a solid defensive effort to see the win out, and now have the 24-hour fitness advantage over their hosts.
Palace though has been a daunting place for many teams to go this season and with a refreshed Mateta up top, they’re going to be up for this game, but I do think that City will be able to grind this out with a bit of patience.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester City
Result: Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City
Leave a Reply