The reigning champions travel to London in what is a must-win clash for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
Palace seem to be reinvigorated under their new manager, former Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew. Pardew has managed to transform Palace from a relegation-threatened side to a team now comfortably sitting in the middle of the table. Going into week 31, Palace are now 11 points above the drop zone and are enjoying a decent run of form. Manchester City, on the other hand, are in a sticky run of form, based on their standards. The Blue half of Manchester sees itself six points behind league leader Chelsea, who also has a game in hand. City will also be feeling the pressure from third placed Arsenal, now only one point behind the Sky Blues.
Palace have already beaten Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at home this season, so Pardew’s men will be confident enough to get a result against City.
Key Battle – Scott Dann vs Sergio Aguero
Aguero will be hoping that he manages to end his recent goal drought by netting against Palace, who have not managed a clean sheet in their last six Premier League games. Aguero is not far behind Diego Costa (Chelsea) and Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) in the race for the golden boot, with 17 goals in the Premier League this season.
Scott Dann has arguably been Palace’s best defender thus far, also managing a couple of goals as well as assists. Along with center-back partner Damien Delaney, Dann will be looking to keep a very goal-hungry Aguero at bay. If he and his fellow defenders can keep the Argentine striker in check, Palace will fancy themselves to take something from the match.
Team News
Crystal Palace will be without skipper Mile Jedinak through suspension. Joe Ledley and Jordan Mutch are in doubt for this match through injuries. Frazier Campbell, Marouane Chamakh, Lee Chung-Yong and Jerome Thomas have all been ruled out through injury as well.
One of Dann, Delaney or Norwegian centre-half Brede Hangeland could fill in at defensive midfield if Ledley is not passed fit.
Crystal Palace Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Speroni (GK); Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; McArthur, Ledley; Zaha, Bolasie, Puncheon; Murray.
Manchester City will be waiting to see if Yaya Touré and James Milner will be passed fit for the game at Selhurst Park. Other than them, City can boast of an injury-free squad.
Manchester City Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Hart (GK); Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho; Silva, Aguero, Milner; Bony.
Head-to-Head
Palace and City have met on 45 occasions, with the latter holding the upper hand. The Manchester club has beaten the Eagles 21 times versus Palace’s 12, with another 12 stalemates.
Previous Meeting
City will look to replicate their performance from earlier in the season, when they beat Palace 3-0 at the Etihad in December last year. City were without any strikers in that match, which saw James Milner playing in the most advanced position. David Silva scored two and Yaya Touré added another as City comfortably overcame Palace who were then under the management of Neil Warnock.
Prediction
Although Palace will be confident going into this match, they have struggled on their home turf this season, where they have taken just 15 points from 14 games. City, who have recently struggled away from home, will hope to get back to winning on the road.
City will be the favourites to win this one but with both teams on a similar run of recent average form, this game has all the makings of a tight encounter.
Crystal Palace 1 Manchester City 2
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