Manchester City look to keep their Premier League title aspirations firmly alive against Crystal Palace in a rearranged clash.
Victory would move City back to within two points of league leaders, Arsenal, whilst Palace can climb to 13th with a win.
Team News
Abdukodir Khusanov is a doubt for Man City after a knock kept him out of their 3-0 win at home to Brentford on Saturday evening due to a knock.
Rodri (groin) and Josko Gvardiol (leg) could too return if pass late fitness tests.
Palace have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 2-2 draw at home to Everton.
Borna Sosa (knock), Evann Guessand, Cheick Doucoure (both knee) and Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Palace at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday 13 May at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League channels in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man City are unbeaten in their last eight league meetings against Palace (W5, D3).
- Palace have won one of their last six league visits to Man City (W1, D2, L3).
- City haven’t kept consecutive clean sheets against Palace in the top flight since 2020-21 season, which saw then win 4-0 at home then 2-0 away.
- Five of City’s last six league goals have been scored by Jeremy Doku (3) and Erling Haaland (2).
- Palace have won one of their last four top-flight away matches (W1, L3).
Prediction
With one eye on Saturday’s FA Cup Final, I expect Pep Guardiola to ring the changes like he did at Burnley before their semi-final win against Southampton but they have to be much sharper than they were at Turf Moor on that occasion because they absolutely wasted their end product after their first goal.
Khusanov, Gvardiol and Rodri’s returns therefore are hopefully well-timed because that trio should at least add more quality than City fans saw against Burnley amidst various changes, but City can’t afford to slip up here otherwise they hand championship point to Arsenal on Monday evening.
Palace though have nothing to play for in terms of the league other than their eventual finishing position as their focus is on that UEFA Conference League Final on 27 May, but I expect them to give them a fair crack as underdogs because they can afford to take more risks than City here.
Oliver Glasner’s Eagles though must defend better than they did at the start of both halves against Everton where they were fairly lax, which was deservedly punished but they did well to fight back in both halves for an eventual draw so patience and tighter defending might be key here.
I personally feel like much of this game depends on City’s line-up but I just think that Palace will find a way to snatch something.
Prediction: Man City 1-1 Crystal Palace
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