Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
Looking to build on what has been a real purple patch, Manchester City will welcome Crystal Palace to an empty Etihad on Sunday night.
Manchester City
Starting with the hosts, managing to come past what was a resilient Brighton side earlier in the week, the mood in Manchester City’s camp should be at a real high. Securing a 1-0 win against the Seagulls on home soil and still holding a game in hand over both Liverpool and Manchester United, Pep Guardiola’s side have played themselves into the title chase. Skyrocketing their way up the table and also managing to secure their spot in the final of this year’s EFL Cup, Pep Guardiola’s men find themselves enjoying a seven-match winning run across all formats. In fact, not tasting defeat since that 2-0 loss against Spurs on November 21st, there is no doubt that the former Bayern Munich boss will be excited by his side’s stellar improvements at the back. With summer arrival Ruben Dias becoming an immediate hit at the Etihad, the Sky Blues have recorded three clean sheets on the bounce and have picked the ball out of their own net just once in over 450 minutes of action.
Team News
Still self-isolation after coming into contact with a COVID-positive individual, Sergio Aguero will once again miss out on Sunday night.
Both Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake are still doubtful to feature this weekend.
Crystal Palace
As for the visitors, while many across the Premier League expected Arsenal to extend on their recent resurge on Thursday night, the Eagles put in what was a gritty display on the road. Eventually leaving North London with a point to show for their troubles, there is no doubt that Roy Hodgson would have felt that his side deserved to leave with maximum points. However, although the former England boss might have been right to praise his side’s display earlier in the week, he will be desperate for the Eagles to find some stability. Crashing out of the FA Cup thanks to a 1-0 loss away at fellow Premier League outfit Wolves last week, Sunday’s guests have recorded just a single win in their last eight matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to December 6th. Although Palace might have managed to record back-to-back top-flight clean sheets for the first time since June, they certainly face a stern test on the road this weekend.
Team News
Defender Mamadou Sakho continues to be sidelined with an ongoing thigh injury, while Martin Kelly is also still missing this weekend.
Key Factors to Consider
- Including a 1-0 win against Brighton in midweek, Manchester City have won each of their last seven straight matchups across all formats.
- More impressive, the Sky Blues have conceded just a single goal in over 450 minutes of action.
- No side have kept more Premier League clean sheets this season than Manchester City (eight), who also having the fewest goals conceded (13).
- Crystal Palace have failed to score more than a single goal in seven of their last eight matchups across all competitions.
- The Eagles have also failed to find the net in their last three straight contests away from Selhurst Park.
Conclusion
While Crystal Palace might have put in a rugged display away at the Emirates in midweek, the Eagles certainly face a stern test this weekend. With a 2-0 win against rock-bottom Sheffield United their only victory across any format over the past five weeks, Manchester City should be smelling a golden chance on Sunday night. Securing a 1-0 win against Brighton earlier in the week, the former champions find themselves enjoying a stellar purple patch. Skyrocketing their way up the table, Pep Guardiola’s men find themselves enjoying a seven-match winning run. Looking to extend on their title charge this weekend, we’re backing another home victory in the blue half of Manchester.
Verdict: Manchester City win to nil
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
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