Last season, the Eagles managed a 2-2 draw at the Etihad but fell 4-2 at home in April. Palace have been improving lately, losing just once in their last six matches and collecting nine points to bolster their survival hopes. A narrow 1-0 win against Ipswich Town midweek, courtesy of a Jean-Philippe Mateta goal, marked their second league win of the season and their first on the road.
Despite the win, manager Oliver Glasner emphasized that the team must not get complacent, especially with the packed festive schedule ahead. Palace sit 17th in the league, just three points above the relegation zone, and have struggled at Selhurst Park this season, winning only one of seven home games.
Their recent record against Man City doesn't inspire much confidence either, with just two wins in their last 18 Premier League meetings—both at the Etihad in 2018 and 2020.
City, on the other hand, snapped a seven-game winless streak with a convincing 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday. Goals from Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jeremy Doku gave the reigning champions a much-needed boost, as well as their third clean sheet of the season.
Though still fourth in the table, City narrowed the gap to nine points behind leaders Liverpool after the Reds drew 3-3 with Newcastle midweek. Despite their position, doubts remain about their title challenge, especially as City have lost their last five away games—a run they haven’t endured since 1994.
City's recent record at Selhurst Park offers some encouragement. They've won seven of their last nine visits, including a 4-2 victory in April. Another win on Saturday could help Guardiola’s side rebuild their momentum.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Crystal Palace will continue to be without Chadi Riad (knee), Adam Wharton, and Matheus Franca (both groin), though Riad and Wharton are nearing a return after rejoining training and could feature later this month.Cheick Doucoure is ready to start after his half-time substitution against Ipswich was precautionary due to a booking, not an injury. He’ll compete with Jefferson Lerma and Will Hughes for a spot in midfield. Meanwhile, Daichi Kamada is back from his three-match suspension and could slot into midfield or support the attack alongside Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eberechi Eze.
For Manchester City, Nathan Ake picked up a hamstring injury late in their win over Forest and will join Rodri (ACL), Oscar Bobb (leg fracture), Mateo Kovacic (unspecified), and John Stones (foot) on the sidelines. Phil Foden is still unavailable after missing Wednesday’s game due to bronchitis, and Manuel Akanji is doubtful after being substituted at halftime midweek due to ongoing fitness struggles.
If both Ake and Akanji are out, Josko Gvardiol might shift to central defense or 19-year-old Jahmai Simpson-Pusey could partner Ruben Dias, with Kyle Walker and Rico Lewis likely as full-backs.
Pep Guardiola will also decide whether to start Kevin De Bruyne for the second time in four days, possibly alongside Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish in midfield. Stefan Ortega could remain in goal for a third straight game, keeping Ederson on the bench.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:Henderson; Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Doucoure, Lerma, Mitchell; Eze; Nketiah, Mateta
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ortega; Walker, Dias, Gvardiol, Lewis; De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Savinho, Haaland, Doku
EXPERT PREDICTION
Crystal Palace 1-3 Manchester City
Man City might have kept a clean sheet midweek, but their defense still appears shaky, giving Crystal Palace hope of finding the back of the net. Palace have managed to score multiple goals against Guardiola's teams six times since he took charge in 2016 — second only to Tottenham, who have done it nine times during that span.
That said, if City can replicate their solid performance from midweek and with De Bruyne orchestrating in midfield, they should have enough firepower to leave Selhurst Park with all three points.
