Crystal Palace vs Man City Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Crystal Palace earned just their second win of the Premier League campaign in midweek and would believe they can now kick on but they immediately face a Manchester City that ended their seven-match winless run of form the other day.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 7th December, 2024: UK – 3:00pm / US ET – 10:00am / US PT – 7:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Peacock
Crystal Palace Preview: Eagles aim to soar
Oliver Glasner has proven himself to be capable of cultivating a side at Crystal Palace that is capable of going on a run that, in terms of form, has them as one of the better sides in the Premier League but it has been a nightmare-ish start to the campaign. That, in terms of performances, has begun to turn and they got a much-needed win in midweek.
After a 94th minute equaliser scored by Daniel Munoz against Newcastle United last weekend, Palace earned three more points on Tuesday as they defeated fellow strugglers Ipswich Town by a goal to nil at Portman Road thanks to an excellent winning goal scored by Jean-Philippe Mateta just before the hour mark.
Man City Preview: A win at last
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are not quite through the woods yet but they finally put an end to their remarkable winless run of form with a comfortable and impressive defeat of high-flying Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium in midweek.
With several changes made and a more adventurous line-up named by the Spaniard in comparison to the eleven selected for their 2-0 defeat at Anfield against Liverpool last weekend, City were intense and a lot more aggressive on the ball with goals from Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku securing all three points. There were slight moments of concern with a couple of lapses in concentration, especially in the first-half, but the winless run is now over.
Crystal Palace Team News: Kamada conundrum
Japan international midfielder Daichi Kamada has been much maligned since joining the Eagles but has been a key figure for Glasner at both Frankfurt and Palace. He has returned from suspension so there is a dilemma for Glasner as to whether to throw him back in.
In his pre-match press conference, Glasner confirmed that Adam Wharton has returned to injury but will not be available for this weekend as he seeks full match fitness.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Hughes, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta
Unavailable: Wharton (Fitness), Franca (Injured)
Questionable: Holding (Out of favour), Riad (Injured)
Man City Team News: Unleashing De Bruyne
As Pep Guardiola searches for a new winning formula, something he has been able to with innovative ideas in recent years, it may be that Kevin De Bruyne is the key with the Belgian thriving after starting against Forest the other day.
City are dealing with a few injury issues for this weekend as both John Stones and Nathan Ake have been confirmed as likely absentees, whilst the manager said 'we'll see' with regards to the fitness of Manuel Akanji.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Gundogan, Nunes; Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Doku; Haaland
Unavailable: Rodri (Injured), Kovacic (Injured), Bobb (Injured)
Questionable: Akanji (Injured), Ake (Injured), Foden (Illness), Stones (Injured)
Crystal Palace vs Man City Prediction
Crystal Palace will play with a typical Oliver Glasner intensity that may concern Manchester City. Whilst Nuno Espirito Santo has had success against City in the past, his sit-back and counter-attack style may well have suited the Cityzens the other day because it allowed their recent vulnerable and fragile moments in-possession to be less exposed. Palace are unlikely to offer as much time but they have also been profligate throughout the campaign and City, as they try to get back up and running, will fancy their chances of simply seeing off the hosts’ threat.
Crystal Palace vs Man City Tip: Man City to win & under 3.5 goals
