Prediction: Manchester City vs Crystal Palace

Prediction: Man City win

Best Odds: 2/13

Bookmaker: 888sport

The Premier League returns to our screens once again this weekend for the penultimate round of fixtures before the final international break of the year. It’ll serve as the last two-week stop in the season prior to an utterly insane schedule that’ll lead us all the way up to the new year and the January transfer window. Today, we’re going to take a look at what should be a really interesting showdown between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at the Etihad.

Manchester City

Manchester City’s insanely impressive League Cup streak may be over but in its place, they’ve got some exciting times ahead in the Premier League and Champions League. The latter of those two will probably mean more to the manager and the club in terms of the “missing piece” but when you take a look at how competitive the top flight is looking this year, you’d have to think that competitive desire is burning deep inside of the champions to retain their title.

Team News

Ferran Torres is the only confirmed injury absence with Sterling likely being dropped back to the bench after an appearance in the cup.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace’s position in the league table may not highlight progress but when you consider the fact that the top three are the only clubs to lose fewer games than them, it becomes clear why they’re so hard to play against. Patrick Vieira has given hope to the fanbase and he’s done so by giving supporters a taste of what it means to really be in the midst of a rebuilding project. He wants to paint Palace in a new light and so far, he’s doing a pretty good job.

Team News

Eze and Ferguson are both injured with Zaha being tipped to make an appearance in the starting XI after his recent return.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting back in May, Man City beat Crystal Palace 2-0.
• Man City have won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six games.
• Crystal Palace have won one, drawn four and lost one of their last six games.
• Man City have scored 13 goals and conceded six in their last six games.
• Crystal Palace have scored nine goals and conceded nine in their last six games.

Conclusion

Vieira will want to do everything in his power to get one over on City, as he did against Arsenal, and we think Palace are going to put in another impressive display that highlights why they’re so hard to beat. In the end we do expect Pep Guardiola’s side to edge past the Eagles with a 2-1 or 3-1 win once the visitors start to tire later in the game, but it’ll still be the kind of morale-boosting performance they need ahead of a difficult few months.

Prediction: Man City win

Best Odds: 2/13

Bookmaker: 888sport