Crystal Palace-Manchester City is a match valid for the twenty-seventh day of the Premier League and is played on Saturday at 18:30: TV, formations, predictions.
The scream of Pep Guardiola and his men on Saturday was choked in their throats. In the Manchester City dressing room they were ready to celebrate Arsenal’s misstep, which would have reduced the gap to the leaders to three, but Nelson’s goal in stoppage time allowed the Gunners to beat Bournemouth – who had twice taken the lead at the Emirates Stadium – and move to within five points of De Bruyne and co.
Who, meanwhile, a few hours earlier had done their homework by making the most of their home factor against Newcastle, beaten 2-0. So the Citizens’ pursuit continues apace, waiting for a misstep by the Londoners, who will be involved in the derby with Fulham this weekend. Manchester City, as seven days ago, will play earlier than Mikel Arteta’s team and will do so in the capital, at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace’s stadium. Several rotations are expected in the match against the Eagles: Guardiola has all the players available but could preserve some of them in view of the return leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Leipzig, scheduled for next Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium. The Germans will be held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg, a result that will not allow them to sleep soundly or underestimate their opponents.
Crystal Palace have never won in 2023
Only Arsenal have scored more away points than Manchester City, but compared to last year the Citizens have already lost a lot of points away from their home crowd.
Jordan Ayew
They will, however, find a Crystal Palace side who have yet to win a game in 2023 and whom they had already overwhelmed 4-2 in the first leg in August. Patrick Vieira’s Eagles have picked up just five points in their last eight league games, moving dangerously close to the relegation zone. The fight not to finish bottom is increasingly uncertain and could involve other teams that have not taken too many risks so far. The French coach trusts in the home factor: in the last five home games he has always drawn. And a point with the defending champions would obviously be gold.
The prediction
Manchester City cannot make any more missteps if they want to keep believing in the comeback and put pressure on Arsenal. The Citizens’ victory does not seem in question in a match in which Guardiola’s team will score at least two goals. As in the first leg, we are likely to see a more prolific second half than in the first.
The Crystal Palace-Manchester City line-up probables
- CRYSTAL PALACE (4-3-3): Guaita; Clyne, Andersen, Guéhi, Mitchell; Hughes, Lokonga, Eze; Ayew, Zaha, Olise.
- MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-3): Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Ruben Dias, Aké; Bernardo Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Grealish.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-2
