Crystal Palace vs Manchester City predictions: Citizens to blank the Eagles
Jamie Griffith
Crystal Palace start the weekend 17th after beginning the season with a 2-0 defeat at Everton
Seventh-placed Manchester City came from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1 in their opener
Recommended bet: Manchester City to win to nil @ 37/20 with LiveScore Bet
Following legendary Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was always going to be a mammoth task and while the Enzo Maresca era got off to a dreadful start in a 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, the Spaniard will have been delighted to begin the Premier League season with a win.
City had to work hard for that victory, staging a late comeback to down plucky Bournemouth 2-1, but the momentum gained from Josko Gvardiol’s 92nd-minute winner should see them put in a stronger performance against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Friday.
The Eagles are also having to rebuild after the departure of their own influential manager, Oliver Glasner, but an opening 2-0 defeat at Everton does little to suggest they are up to the challenge which comes with this fixture.
The latest Crystal Palace vs Manchester City odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
New Palace boss Pierre Sage has stated star man Ismaila Sarr missed the Everton game due to injury. However, reports elsewhere suggest he is angling for a transfer to Galatasaray, so it is unclear whether he will be available for the visit of City.
Centre-back Chadi Riad was forced off on Merseyside and looks set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Jeremy Doku remains the Citizens’ sole absentee, with the Belgian expected to be out for at least another week.
The stats
Palace have gone five Premier League games without a win, losing three.
The Eagles have failed to score in two of their last four league matches.
Manchester City have kept a clean sheet on five of their last seven visits to Selhurst Park.
Palace have scored only five goals in their last five Premier League home games.
Seven of City’s last nine wins have been accompanied by a clean sheet.
Rayan Cherki provided an assist in each of last season’s meetings.
The latest Crystal Palace vs Manchester City odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
While City left it late to beat Bournemouth, scoring their first goal in the 84th minute, there was no denying they deserved three points.
Maresca’s men had no issues picking apart the Cherries, creating 2.36 expected goals to their visitors’ 0.63, and with Rayan Cherki likely to start after providing both assists after coming off the bench, they should find it even easier to carve through Palace.
The Eagles looked shaky at Everton, allowing the usually shot-shy Toffees to rack up 16 attempts, five of which were on target.
Riad’s injury only leaves a weak defence weaker and they will struggle to contain a team boasting Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo, Phil Foden and Cherki.
Sage is a better manager than many have given him credit for. However, he may have to be patient before showing that, as Sarr’s potential exit has disrupted things and left the Eagles short of firepower.
City won both of last season’s meetings 3-0 and given those successes came against much more settled Palace sides, it would be no surprise to see them cruise to victory at Selhurst Park on Friday.
Score prediction: Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City
Back Manchester City to win to nil at 37/20 with LiveScore Bet
