Manchester City FC
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace
Bang in-form Manchester City aim to continue winning run against Crystal Palace
Manchester City 3-0 Crystal Palace
Slowly, almost quietly, Manchester City have slipped into the top three positions in the Premier League with a fantastic run of six wins from their last eight matches, going undefeated during the other two.
It is a run which has been built off a solid defence, rather usually for a Pep Guardiola side, but also one which has grown pace as the season has progressed. Now, they look like they will certainly be challenging for the Premier League title when May comes around.
With quality young players like Phil Foden and John Stones now coming to the fore, it takes the pressure off players such as Sergio Aguero, who appears to be coming to the end of his time in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace were dogged and spirited in their match against Arsenal in midweek, earning a well-deserved point to move up a place in the table.
They have their work cut out here, however.
Form Guide (all comps): WWWWW
Reasons to be cheerful:
On a 14-match unbeaten run in all competitions
Can go 2nd with a win – their highest position all season
Reasons to be fearful:
Not won either of their last two home matches against Palace
Palace showed how stubborn they can be
All the stats seem to add up in Manchester City’s favour here.
Winning their last seven matches in all competitions, taking 20 of the last 24 league points available, five clean sheets from their eight home matches this season – the list goes on for Guardiola’s impressive side.
They have done it differently at City this season, so far at least. They have, by far, the best defensive record in the league, and have built their attacking successes off the back of it. New signing Ruben Dias at the back has been one of the players of the season.
Phil Foden, a youngster who has long been tipped for the very top, is now producing regularly for City, with four goals in his last six matches.
It’s clear City are favourites for this one.
Star Man – Phil Foden
He is in sparkling form and one of the first attacking names on the teamsheet these days. He is now starting to score and assist at a terrific rate.
Form Guide (all comps): LDWLD
Reasons to be cheerful:
Unbeaten in three league games
Consecutive clean sheets shows solidarity
Reasons to be fearful:
City are in inspired form right now
Failed to score in four of last six away matches
Facing back-to-back games against Arsenal and Manchester City is a daunting prospect for any team in the league, but Crystal Palace got off to a good start with a point against the Gunners in midweek.
They were solid and stubborn against a side who had won their last three league matches and will be pleased at coming away with a draw especially after having more shots on goal than their opponents.
Things will be more difficult for them here, of course. City are a different animal, a side who are blowing opponents away right now without conceding too many either.
Palace must once again keep things tight at the back before using their electric pace up front if they stand any chance of getting anything from this one.
Star Man – Eberechi Eze
The youngster has been Palace’s best player in recent weeks, and made a brilliant pass against Arsenal which his teammate Tomkins headed against the bar.
Manchester City are huge favourites
They are likely to see in excess of 65% possession
Palace will do well to keep the game level for long
Both Tottenham and Leicester (the two teams below City) play before this game, and therefore City could find themselves outside the top four by the time they kick off.
This will only serve as an extra incentive for Pep’s men to go out and claim the three points – they are certainly favourites to do so.
Manchester City 3-0 Crystal Palace
