Prediction: Manchester City vs Crystal Palace

Verdict: Bernardo Silva to have over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Desperate to make up some ground in the Premier League title chase, Manchester City will welcome Crystal Palace to the Etihad on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, managing to mount a crucial comeback away at relegation scrappers Luton last weekend as they eventually avoided what would have been an infamous banana skin, Manchester City will now be desperate to claim some domestic stability. However, despite eventually snatching a 2-1 victory away at Kenilworth Road, Pep Guardiola’s men are without a single win from any of their other previous four Premier League appearances. Opening this weekend’s fixtures sat four points adrift in the title chase, the former Barcelona boss will take some solace from his side’s continued success on home soil. Although the Sky Blues might have been forced to settle for a last-gasp 3-3 stalemate against Tottenham on December 3rd, it should be noted that City have not suffered a single domestic defeat in front of their own supporters throughout 2023.

Team News

Once again missing out away at Red Star Belgrade earlier in the week, Manchester City are still sweating over the fitness of attacking talisman Erling Haaland on Saturday afternoon. Likewise, not making a single appearance since sustaining a hamstring injury on the opening weekend, Kevin De Bruyne still remains on the sidelines.

All handed a Champions League rest in midweek, the likes of Bernardo Silva, Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden and Rodri should be handed a full recall here. England international John Stones will be hoping to keep his spot in Guardiola’s starting XI at the Etihad this weekend.

Crystal Palace

As for the visitors, suffering last-gasp heartbreak at home against Liverpool last weekend as they eventually slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace find themselves at the heart of a public struggle. With it appearing that there is mounting pressure on Roy Hodgson’s shoulders in south London, the Eagles have collected just a single victory from any of their previous nine appearances. With that nightmare blip stemming all the way back to a 1-0 victory away at Manchester United on September 30th, the one-time England boss will be more than aware that his downbeat squad faces a monumental challenge on Saturday afternoon. Likewise, along with mustering just one point from any of their last five Premier League showdown, Hodgson will also have a real headache over his side’s rather glaring defensive issues.

Team News

Dealing with what has become a stacked injury list at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace will once again be without the likes of Cheick Doucoure, Rob Holding, Dean Henderson and attacking talisman Eberechi Eze. Limping off against Liverpool last weekend with a suspected muscle injury, Hodgson will also be without number-one goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

Shown a pair of bookings at Selhurst Park last week, Ghana international Jordan Ayew will serve a one-match suspension here. While former Mainz striker Jean-Philippe Mateta might have come off the bench and bagged a consolation strike last weekend, Odsonne Edouard should spearhead Hodgson’s charge at the Etihad.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Crystal Palace and Manchester City last met in Premier League action on March 11th, Guardiola’s side picked up a 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park.
• Likewise, Man City have lost just one of their previous nine meetings against the Eagles.
• Crystal Palace have managed to muster just a single win from any of their last nine appearances.
• The defending Premier League champions have not suffered a single defeat at the Etihad throughout 2023.
• England international Phil Foden has scored in four of his previous five appearances at the Etihad across all competitions.

Conclusion

Managing to avoid what would have been an infamous banana skin away at Luton last weekend, Manchester City will be seeking a far more routine performance here. Desperate to make up some ground in the title chase, Guardiola’s men will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity on Saturday afternoon. Unbeaten at the Etihad throughout 2023, the defending champions will be looking to cash in on a Crystal Palace squad that are enduring a major Premier League struggle.

Verdict: Bernardo Silva to have over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet