Verdict: Over 3.5 goals scored – yes
Best Odds: 8/5
Bookmaker: 888sport
Manchester City remain alive on the title race of the Premier League and right now it seems they’ll remain entrenched on a two-team chase with Liverpool. They must acquire all the points they can get, and this includes road contests. Here, they’ll visit a Crystal Palace that only has their pride to play for down the stretch. This match will kick-off at 14:05 hrs BST.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace enter this game knowing they have been one of the few sides that have beaten Manchester City so far in the Premier League campaign. The Eagles currently sit in 13th place of the standings with 39 points and, considering they will only have four matches left after this weekend, it’s safe to say the relegation threat is no longer an issue for them. Palace currently sit 11 points above the red zone and things are simple for them – if they avoid the loss here, they would be mathematically safe from relegation. Their recent form reads W3, L2 and their previous game ended in a solid away win over Newcastle. However, their form hasn’t exactly impressed anyone with only four wins in 16 matches (W4, D4, L8), but two of those have come in their last five home games (W2, D1, L2).
Team News
Mamadou Sakho (knee) and James Tomkins (groin) have both been ruled out for this match. Essentially, this means Palace will play this game with a weaker defensive line. Something that shouldn’t bode well considering the opponent they’ll face.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s men probably have their sights on the upcoming UEFA Champions League tie against Tottenham this upcoming week, especially since they lost the first leg by a 1-0 score away from home. But if we only focus on the league campaign, then City depend on themselves to lift the trophy. The Citizens currently sit two points behind Liverpool in the standings with five games left to go after this one, but the trick is this: City have one fewer game, so if they win here, then they’d reclaim the top spot. They’re currently riding an impressive run of eight straight wins in the Premier League, and also rank as the third-best away side in the competition with only three losses away from home. However, City register a W4, L1 mark in their last five games away from home, a span where they’ve also conquered three straight wins. Can they add another one to their tally, while recovering the top spot of the standings with only a handful of matches to play in the current season?
Team News
Claudio Bravo (Achilles tendon) is back in training, but might not be included on the bench in this one.
Bernardo Silva (muscle) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (thigh) are both doubtful. The availability of both players will be decided closer to kick-off.
Key Factors to Consider
- Three of Palace’s last four matches against Manchester City have ended with at least five goals.
- City are riding an impressive run of form at the moment. They’ve conquered eight straight wins, and they’ve kept a clean sheet in six of those outings.
- Palace have conceded exactly two goals in 31.25% of their PL home matches this season.
- Manchester City’s last four matches in all competitions have seen only one side scoring.
- Palace’s last three matches have featured under 2.5 goals scored and only one team scoring.
Conclusion
Manchester City are heavy favourites to win here despite playing on the road. And we could witness lots of goals in this one.
I reckon there will be at least four goals in this one.
Verdict: Over 3.5 goals scored – yes
Best Odds: 8/5
Bookmaker: 888sport
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