Man City vs Crystal Palace: Premier League Preview

Setting the Scene

Still chasing a Champions League place in what has been an unpredictable season, Pep Guardiola's side sit sixth in the standings, just one point off the top five. While a fifth-place finish is now enough to guarantee a place in Europe’s elite competition next season, City know they must be more clinical down the stretch to avoid further slippage.

The reigning champions were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw in the Manchester derby last weekend – a performance that lacked cutting edge and marked their third draw in five league games. Having failed to win back-to-back Premier League games since early February, City will be eyeing Saturday’s match as an opportunity to get back on track.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, travel to Manchester full of confidence. Under Oliver Glasner, the Eagles have been one of the league’s form teams since the turn of the year, losing just two of their last 17 matches in all competitions. They head into this encounter on a seven-game unbeaten run, most recently battling to a fiery 2-1 win over Brighton despite finishing the match with nine men.

Head-to-Head

City have had the upper hand in this fixture in recent years, losing just one of their last 12 Premier League meetings with Palace (W7 D4). That said, the reverse fixture earlier this season ended 2-2 at Selhurst Park, where Palace twice pegged City back.

Palace’s last win at the Etihad came in October 2021 (2-0), but they’ve taken points on two of their last four visits. Interestingly, the Eagles have either scored twice or failed to score at all in each of their last 11 league games away to City.

Key Stats

• City have kept only four clean sheets in 15 home games this season.
• Palace have scored in six of their last seven league away fixtures.
• Only Liverpool (23) have collected more Premier League points than Palace (22) across the last 10 matches.
• City are winless in their last three Saturday 12:30 PM kickoffs (D1, L2).
• Palace are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League away matches (W6, D4)

Team News

Manchester City:
Injuries continue to disrupt Pep Guardiola’s squad, with Rodri (ACL), Nathan Ake (foot), John Stones (thigh), Manuel Akanji (abductor) and Erling Haaland (ankle) all ruled out. Haaland’s absence means Omar Marmoush is expected to continue leading the line after netting five goals in his last five league appearances at the Etihad.

Kevin De Bruyne could captain the side in what may be his final season with the club, while Jack Grealish, Savinho and Jeremy Doku are pushing for starts out wide. Defensively, Rico Lewis and Abdukodir Khusanov are back in contention, though Guardiola may keep faith with Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Nico O'Reilly at the back.

Crystal Palace:
Palace are facing defensive issues with Marc Guehi and Eddie Nketiah suspended after their red cards against Brighton. Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure remain long-term absentees, and Maxence Lacroix is doubtful after being withdrawn with a head injury.

Chris Richards will be assessed, and Jefferson Lerma, Joel Ward or Nathaniel Clyne could be drafted into a makeshift backline. In midfield, Adam Wharton is likely to start alongside either Will Hughes or Daichi Kamada, while Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr will support Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is looking to end a four-game goalless run away from home.