Verdict: Jean-Philippe Mateta over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Desperate to find a route back into the Champions League spots on Saturday lunchtime, Manchester City will welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates.
Manchester City
Starting with the hosts, eventually forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at Old Trafford last weekend, Manchester City know the importance of claiming an immediate response here. However, despite extending on their FA Cup adventure last month as they secured a turnaround 2-1 victory away at Bournemouth, Pep Guardiola’s men have endured an infamous rut this season. Remarkably opening Saturday’s return to the Etihad sat outside the Champions League spots, the former Barcelona boss has seen his squad muster just a single Premier League victory since the end of February. It should also be highlighted, the soon-to-be former champions have ed consecutive top-flight victories on home soil since October. With time really starting to tick away, Man City face what is a must-win showdown on Saturday lunchtime.
Manchester City Team News
Picking up an ankle injury against Bournemouth last month, Manchester City will once again be without attacking talisman Erling Haaland this weekend. Likewise, the Sky Blues will also be unable to call upon the defending trio of Manuel Akanjia, John Stones and Nathan Ake on Saturday lunchtime.
Recording five Premier League strikes since completing a January switch from Eintracht Frankfurt, Omar Marmoush will shoulder most of City’s attacking threat. Announcing last week that he will be leaving the Etihad after a decade long stay, Kevin De Bruyne will be hoping to keep his spot from the start.
Crystal Palace
As for the visitors, embarking on what has been a stunning purple patch, Crystal Palace are enjoying what has been a remarkable fairytale. Punching their own FA Cup semi-final spot on March 29th as they stormed their way to a 3-0 romp away at Fulham, Oliver Glasner’s side have continued to receive a string of plaudits from across England’s elite. Last seen snatching a dramatic 2-1 victory against bitter rivals Brighton, the former RB Leipzig boss has seen his high-flying squad skyrocket their way up the Premier League table. Heading into March’s international break with a 1-0 win against Ipswich, Palace are riding what has become a major wave of momentum. Now sat within touching distance of finding a route into the top-half of the Premier League table, Glasner’s men should be relishing a trip to Manchester this weekend.
Crystal Palace Team News
Both shown their own respective late red cards against Brighton last weekend, the duo of Eddie Nketiah and England international Marc Guehi will miss out here. Likewise, not featuring since the middle of January, Cheick Doucoure remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee issue.
Once again finding the net in south London last week and notching 13 Premier League strikes this season, Jean-Philippe Mateta will lead the line on Saturday lunchtime. Linked with a move to the Etihad ahead of the summer transfer window, Adam Wharton will start in the middle of the park.
Manchester City vs Crystal Palace Key Factors to Consider
- When Manchester City and Crystal Palace met for their reverse Premier League meeting on December 7th, Saturday’s opponents played out a 2-2 stalemate.
- The Sky Blues have collected consecutive Premier League wins on just a single occasion since October.
- Crystal Palace are unbeaten in all of their last seven appearances across all competitions (six wins, one draw).
- The Eagles have not suffered a single defeat away from Selhurst Park so far this calendar year.
- Four of the last five meetings between Manchester City and Crystal Palace have finished with over 3.5 goals.
Conclusion
Opening Saturday’s fixtures sat outside the Champions League spots, Manchester City have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders here. Eventually forced to settle for a 2-2 stalemate when they travelled to south London for their reverse Premier League meeting on December 7th, Guardiola’s inconsistent squad should be bracing themselves for a tricky test on home soil. With Crystal Palace not suffering a single defeat on their travels so far this calendar year, the Eagles are more than capable of asking some real questions.
Verdict: Jean-Philippe Mateta over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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