In Monday’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace, Manchester City will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the table to six points by defeating them at Selhurst Park. The Eagles are coming off a 2-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Pep Guardiola’s side advanced to the next round of the Champions League by defeating Sporting Lisbon.
Even though Bruno Lage’s emotional outburst after yet another Wolverhampton Wanderers loss dominated the headlines last weekend, the determination and spirit shown by Crystal Palace in their eye-catching success over the top-four outsiders should not be overlooked.
Two goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and one from Wilfried Zaha in the first 45 minutes put the game out of reach for Patrick Vieira’s side, who remain in the hunt for a top-half finish after losing to Stoke City in the FA Cup only four days before this.
Vieira’s team is now in 11th place in the Premier League league. However, a point for Leicester City against Arsenal on Sunday would see the Eagles slide down a position. They are currently two points behind 10th-placed Southampton ahead of Sunday’s matches.
A top-half finish would undoubtedly mark a successful debut season for Vieira, whose side has now won three of their last four games across all competitions. However, the capital side has not managed to string together a winning streak of three or more games since June 2020.
However, Palace has only managed to earn one point from their past 12 Premier League games at Selhurst Park, allowing an average of two goals per game over that period. As a result, City has all the incentives they need to go back to winning ways against their bitter rivals.
Liverpool Highlights: Reds Beat Brighton To Continue Title Charge
Very few people would have chosen to watch an inconsequential second leg between Manchester City and Sporting Lisbon while Real Madrid was en route to a stunning comeback against Paris Saint-Germain, and even some members of the home crowd at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night may have felt the same way about the match.
Pep Guardiola’s much-changed crop shook hands in a 0-0 draw with the Portuguese champions, but they still progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League with relative ease following a romping 5-0 away victory in the first leg, and the 4-1 derby thrashing of Manchester United certainly served to put the champions in the driving seat of English football.
The Citizens’ lead at the top of the table has been reduced to three points after Liverpool won 2-0 at Brighton & Hove Albion in Saturday’s early kickoff. However, Manchester City has earned the reputation as “away-day specialists” in recent seasons and should be confident of replicating the Reds’ success.
As a result, City has won eight of their previous nine away games in all competitions. They have won each of their past four away games without conceding a goal, and Guardiola’s side has conceded only eight league goals on their opponents’ turf all season.
City has won six and drawn one of their past seven games with the Eagles at Selhurst Park, conceding a total of two goals in the process. The Eagles stunned the English footballing world with a 2-0 triumph against the champions at the Etihad Stadium back in October.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City, EPL 2021/22
Date: 15 March 2022
Time: 1:30 AM IST
Venue: Selhurst Park Stadium
FORM GUIDE:
Crystal Palace Premier League form:
- D-D-L-W-D-W
Crystal Palace form (all competitions):
- D-L-W-D-W-W
Manchester City Premier League form:
- D-W-W-L-W-W
Manchester City form (all competitions):
- W-L-W-W-W-D
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
Crystal Palace wins: 17
Man City wins: 35
Draws: 14
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Team News:
Crystal Palace’s chances in this match might be strengthened by the return of veteran defender Joel Ward. He will be subjected to a late fitness test after returning to training after a groin injury. Fellow right-back Nathan Ferguson, though, is still out with a hamstring injury, and James McArthur is currently recovering from an injury.
Ruben Dias, City’s centre-back, is still out with a hamstring injury, and Guardiola said at Friday’s press conference that he does not yet know who will be ready for Monday night’s match against West Ham.
Joao Cancelo may be able to returns, while players such as Nathan Ake, Cole Palmer and Zack Steffen have been injured in recent weeks. Kyle Walker has returned to the field after being banned in Europe over the week.
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Guaita; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Gallagher, Kouyate, Schlupp; Olise, Mateta, Zaha
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Foden, Grealish
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Predictions:
Monday Night Football has the potential to be a truly exciting show to see. Despite the fact that City is always the clear favourites in every game they play. Palace has become a much better offensive side under Vieira. He is a delight to watch when the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Michael Olise are on the form.
The visitors will still be reeling from their shock defeat at the Etihad Stadium in October. But they are well aware that they cannot afford any additional blunders in the face of a Liverpool side that is battling hard for the championship.
Score Prediction- Manchester City will win by a score of 2-1
