Manchester City will host Crystal Palace at the Etihad on Saturday, looking to close the gap to Arsenal and Liverpool.
Manchester City have been quite inconsistent in recent weeks, having failed to win four of their last six league matches ahead of the visit of Crystal Palace. They are currently fourth in the league table, and a club of their stature is expected to perform better.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are 15th in the league table, and they could easily be dragged into the relegation battle if they continue to drop points. The Eagles have lost four of the last five league matches, and it remains to be seen whether they can pull off an upset here.
Manchester City have done quite well against Palace in the recent meetings, and they will look to extend that run of form with a win here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News and Tactics
Manchester City
Manchester City will be without star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who remains ruled out with a long-term hamstring injury. They are likely to shape up in their usual 4-3-3 formation, with Ederson Moraes in goal.
Kyle Walker and Josko Gvardiol will be deployed as the full-backs, and they will look to help out in the attack as well. Ruben Dias will start alongside John Stones at the heart of the defence. Spanish international Rodri will feature as the defensive midfielder here, and he will look to break up opposition attacks and win the ball back for his side.
Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic will add creativity and control to the side. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland missed the last game through a stress fracture, and he is unlikely to be risked here. So, Julian Alvarez could lead the line for Manchester City, with Phil Foden on his right and Jack Grealish on the left.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Gvardiol; Silva, Rodri, Kovacic; Foden, Alvarez, Grealish
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have a number of injury problems heading into this contest, and they will be without key players like Cheick Doucoure, Eberechi Eze, and Odsonne Edouard. All three players are ruled out with injuries, and Jordan Ayew remains suspended.
In addition, Dean Henderson, Sam Johnstone, and Rob Holding are sidelined as well. The visitors will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Remi Matthews in goal. Joel Ward and Nathaniel Clyne will be deployed as the full-backs here. Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi will start as the central defenders.
In the midfield pivot, Chris Richards should start alongside Will Hughes. The two players will look to protect the central defence and set up counter-attacking opportunities. Michael Olise and Malcolm Ebiowei will start out wide, and they will add pace and trickery to the side. Jeffrey Schlupp will start as the central attacking midfielder here, with Jean-Philippe Mateta leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Matthews; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Clyne; Hughes, Richards; Olise, Schlupp, Ebiowei; Mateta
Key Stats
- Manchester City have scored at least 2 goals in 9 of their last 10 home matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
- Crystal Palace have failed to win their last 5 matches (Premier League).
- Manchester City are unbeaten in five of the last six matches against Crystal Palace.
- 15 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two sides.
Player to Watch
Julian Alvarez
The 23-year-old Argentine international put on an impressive performance against Luton Town in his last outing, and he will look to build on that performance here. He has not been a regular starter for Manchester City and will want to make his mark and grab the opportunities that come his way.
Alvarez could trouble Crystal Palace with his movement, flair and link-up play. He will add creativity and cutting edge in the final third. With Erling Haaland still out, this is the World Cup winner’s chance to make his mark.
Prediction
Manchester City 3-0 Crystal Palace
Manchester City are undoubtedly the better team here, and they should be able to pick up all three points. Crystal Palace are lacking in form and confidence right now. They are on a losing run and are unlikely to be able to upset the odds away from home against the champions. The Hard Tackle predicts a straightforward 3-0 victory for the reigning champions.
