Manchester City take on Crystal Palace in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off looking to lay down a marker in their battle for European football.
City are currently sat in sixth place going into this weekend’s fixtures, one point off both Chelsea and Newcastle United, who occupy fourth and fifth place respectively. Fifth place will be enough to secure Champions League football next season, but City will want to put this beyond doubt by seizing the initiative here.
They host a Palace side with little to play for. With one eye undoubtedly on their FA Cup semi-final later in the month, the London side are comfortably in mid-table. This doesn’t mean it will be easy though as Palace are currently the second most in-form team in the Premier League.
MAN CITY VS CRYSTAL PALACE PREVIEW
Despite being five places below City in the league, Palace’s current league form is stronger. They go into this game off the back of a 2-1 victory over Brighton. This was their sixth win in seven in all competitions, with a 1-1 draw against Southampton the only thing blotting their copybook.
City have had a disappointing season so far and this was typified by their listless goalless draw against Manchester United last week. They are unbeaten in three Premier League games though and will fancy their chances on home soil.
This season’s reverse fixture at Selhurst Park was an entertaining 2-2 draw. Goals from Erling Haaland and Rico Lewis saw City come from behind twice to claim a share of the spoils. Lewis was sent off towards the end of the game for two bookable offences and Palace felt aggrieved not to have won the match.
Last season’s corresponding fixture at the Etihad was also a 2-2 draw. A Michael Olise penalty five minutes into stoppage time saw Palace come from two goals down to claim a point.
Man City have an extensive injury list and will be missing key players including John Stones and Erling Haaland. Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and Rodri are all likely out too.
Marc Guehi and Eddie Nketiah will both be suspended for Crystal Palace following their dismissals against Brighton last time out.
Cheick Doucoure, Chadi Riad and Chris Richards are all likely to miss the game through injury.
MAN CITY VS CRYSTAL PALACE – PREDICTIONS
Man City Win
City have home advantage and a greater need for points, while Palace may have one eye on their FA Cup semi-final later this month. City also have a strong record against Palace, having lost just once in their last 12 encounters with them.
Draw
Two of the last three games between the two sides have ended 2-2, including the reverse fixture earlier this year. Last season’s game at the Etihad also ended 2-2. Palace are the team in form, but City have home advantage. These two things could cancel each other out.
Crystal Palace Win
Palace have an exceptional record away from home right now. They have won six and drawn four of their last 10 Premier League games on the road. Only Liverpool have better form over their last 10 Premier League games home and away too. Palace have collected 22 points from a possible 30 over their last 10 matches.
MAN CITY VS CRYSTAL PALACE – BETTING TIPS
Draw
Two of the last three games between the two sides have ended 2-2 including this fixture last season. While Palace may have one eye on the FA Cup, they are more than capable of securing a result against a misfiring City outfit.
Both Team To Score
With Jean-Philippe Mateta in top form, having scored nine goals already in 2025, I expect both teams to score. The last three games between the two sides have seen both teams score, as have four of the last five matches.
HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
- Manchester City and Crystal Palace have met on 72 occasions, with City winning 38. Palace have won 17 while there have been 17 draws.
- City are unbeaten against Palace in their last six games (W3, D3). They have only lost to Palace once in their last 12 games (W7, D4).
- Crystal Palace have lost just two of their last six games at the Etihad (W2, D2).
- Palace have scored exactly two goals in six of their last 11 Premier League games against City. In the other five games, they didn’t score at all.
- The team that has opened the scoring has won just one of the last five Premier League meetings between the two sides.
- City are unbeaten in their last four matches (W2, D2).
- Palace have earned 22 points from their last 10 Premier League games (W7, D1, L2). Only league leaders Liverpool with 23 points have earned more in this spell.
- Palace are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League games on the road (W6, D4).
- Jean-Philippe Mateta’s nine goals this calendar year is the second-highest in the Premier League, second only to Mohamed Salah’s 10.
