England Premier League
Saturday 16th December 2023
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Match Preview:
By Manchester City’s standards the past month has been one to forget and even though they have lost just once, they have also drawn three games in a row recently with just one win in their past five games. That has stunned the champions who are going for a record 4th league title in a row and they have fallen to fourth place as a result. At least last weekend after falling behind to Luton City were able to dig deep as champions should do and they won 2-1. The then league leaders Arsenal lost so City are only four points from the top, it’s been a bad moment for them but it could have been worse.
This will be City’s last game until the Christmas period as they will partake in the World Club Cup for the first time so they will want to send their home fans off happy for the Christmas holidays. This could be the perfect time to play Crystal Palace too, who have come here in the past and caused a stir, and Palace on their day can be a match for any side but recent form has not been good with just 1 point won from their last 15. This season is supposed to be manager Roy Hodgson’s last in the game but there are rumours he could be sacked before the end of the season such is the clubs form. They have slipped to 15th place and have 16 points and for now they look safe but they do not look like being on course to replicate previous seasons and that is a clear step backwards. On the road Palace have fared better with 11 points won from 24 although their last two games have seen Luton beat them and they have drawn with West Ham.
Team News:
Manchester City: Jeremy Doku is a doubt with a muscle injury, Erling Haaland is expected to miss out with a foot injury but could be assessed. Kevin De Bruyne will not return until the Christmas period at the earliest, he has recovered from a lengthy hamstring injury but has fitness issues.
Crystal Palace: Jordan Ayew is suspended, Odsonne Edouard will be assessed due to a recent knee injury. Eberechi Eze is expected to miss out once again with his ankle. Sam Johnstone and Jefferson Lerma will be assessed. Tyrick Mitchell, Rob Holding and Chieck Doucoure all remain injured and unavailable.
Man City vs Crystal Palace Head to Head:
Last season Manchester City won this fixture 4-2.
Manchester City have won 4 of the last 6 meetings.
Four of the last five meetings have seen under 2.5 goals.
Man City vs Crystal Palace Prediction:
It’s a busy period for Manchester City as they will be travelling to the World Club Cup after this game and then straight back to league games but this one remains very important. They won’t want to leave on a sour note and they could end up this weekend seven points behind the league leaders. Palace have caused City some problems in the past but some key players will be missing, pressure is on Hodgson to keep his job and quite frankly City are facing the Eagles at the perfect time and we expect this to be a straight forward victory. Haaland is expected to miss out but City will not miss the Premier League top goalscorer in games like this at home and have no excuse not to win this one.
Man City vs Crystal Palace Betting Tips:
Half Time/Full Time: Manchester City/Manchester City at 1.66
Anytime goalscorer: Jack Grealish at 2.90
Anytime goalscorer: Julian Alvarez at 1.83
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