Manchester City face a battle to make the Premier League top four this season, and their chances of doing so may take another hit when they host an in-form Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Citizens’ drab goalless draw in last weekend’s Manchester derby leaves them with just four wins from their last nine games in all competitions, and they have only tasted victory in half of their last six at the Etihad.
Crystal Palace sit just nine points behind their star-studded hosts and are looking to maintain the momentum generated over the last couple of months ahead of their FA Cup semi-final later this month.
The Eagles have lost only twice in their 17 competitive games since Christmas and, incredibly, neither of those defeats came away from home.
Oliver Glasner’s side haven’t lost a Premier League away game since October, and they can draw confidence from a relatively solid recent record against Manchester City.
They played out a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park in December and another 2-2 affair at the Etihad last season, leaving them with just three defeats from their last seven meetings with Pep Guardiola’s side.
Manchester City drew 2-2 at home to Brighton a few weeks ago, making a Crystal Palace double chance bet along with another 2-2 correct score prediction a couple of appealing options.
Jean-Phillipe Mateta was flying high before a horrendous challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts saw him hospitalised, but a third-minute opener against Brighton last weekend will have boosted his confidence considerably and the Frenchman looks a good price to add to his nine goals in his last ten Premier League appearances on Saturday.