Manchester City visit Selhurst Park this weekend as they face Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace.
City will be hoping their convincing win over Nottingham Forest during the week will revitalise them after a tricky spell.
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Phil Foden, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Mateo Kovacic are all ruled out for their trip to Croydon. In the absence of holding midfielders Rodri and Kovacic, Pep Guardiola has backed Jack Grealish in that role after the Englishman excelled in the unfamiliar position on Tuesday.
The Eagles were also victorious during the week as they narrowly edged out Ipswich Town at Portman Road. Palace are close to welcoming back summer signing Chadi Riad after a lengthy spell out with a knee injury, but Adam Wharton continues to recover from a procedure on his groin.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news
Form
Crystal Palace: DLDDW
Oliver Glasner’s side attained their first away league victory this campaign on Tuesday night.
A second-half strike from Jean-Philippe Mateta was the difference in Suffolk as they overcame Ipswich Town.
He’s done it again! 🏆
You have voted for Maxence Lacroix as your player of the month for the second month in a row 🇫🇷#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 6, 2024
That result was of huge importance as before the encounter both teams were level on points. Palace are now three points clear of the Tractor Boys, who are sitting in 18th place.
In recent weeks, the Eagles have shown improvement and have only lost one out of their last seven matches in all competitions.
Manchester City: LLDLW
City managed to arrest their recent slide in form with a comfortable win over Nottingham Forest in midweek.
An early Bernardo Silva goal settled the nerves before strikes from Belgian duo Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku sealed the points.
After seven games without that winning feeling, Pep Guardiola will be a relieved man.
Watch our best moments against Palace over the years 💪 pic.twitter.com/IiSrxj8liv
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 6, 2024
Their situation is far from disastrous, as they sit in fourth position and trail league leaders Liverpool by nine points. If there is one thing rivals would have learnt over the last few years, it is to never write off Manchester City.
Last Meeting: Crystal Palace 2-4 Manchester City, Premier League, 6th April 2024
Manchester City came from behind to prevail in their last encounter at Selhurst Park.
Palace got off to the perfect start as Jean-Philipe Mateta ruthlessly fired past Stefan Ortega inside three minutes.
But it didn’t take long for Kevin De Buryne to restore parity as he majestically found the top corner with an unstoppable curling effort.
With nothing separating the two sides going into the break, City started the second period strongly.
A cross from Jack Grealish fell kindly to Rico Lewis and the City academy graduate breached Dean Henderson’s net with the help of a deflection.
The visitors would earn some breathing space midway through the half with Erling Haaland tapping in their third.
Pep Guardiola’s team still weren’t satisfied and de Bruyne showed superb technique to record his brace with a half-volley from the edge of the box.
The Eagles managed to pull a goal back through Odsonne Edouard late on but City’s lead was unassailable and they returned to Manchester with all three points.
Predicted Lineups
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Munoz, Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell; Lerma, Hughes; Sarr, Eze, Mateta.
Manchester City: Ortega; Lewis, Walker, Dias, Gvardiol; Gundogan; Silva, De Bruyne; Grealish, Doku, Haaland.
Who is the referee?
Rob Jones will be the match official. He will be assisted by Ian Hussin and Neil Davies while Sam Barrott will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Stuart Attwell and he will be assisted by Adrian Holmes.
What channel will Crystal Palace vs Manchester City be on?
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City will not be available to watch live in the United Kingdom.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off at Selhurst Park will be at 15:00 GMT on Saturday 7th December 2024.
Odds
Crystal Palace – 4/1
Draw – 31/10
Manchester City – 8/13
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