Manchester City vs Crystal Palace - Premier League preview and odds

Published on: 04/05/2017

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace - Premier League preview and odds

May 06, 2017 12:30pm - Etihad Stadium

Premier League

Manchester City will look to keep their top four destiny in their own hands when they welcome relegation battlers Crystal Palace to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

No trophies and top four still in doubt for City

Manchester City are still on course to best last season`s point`s tally but they are set to finish the current campaign without any fresh silverware. As a result, a top four finish is now the priority for Pep Guardiola`s men. With just one point separating them from fifth-ranked rivals Manchester United, three wins from their last three games would guarantee that they meet that target.

The Sky Blues come into this game on the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw away to Middlesbrough that extend their current unbeaten run in the league to four games. On home soil, they have been beaten just once all season but have drawn four of their last six.

Meanwhile, are still not safe and will be keen to halt a two-game losing streak that has brought them back into the relegation conversation. The Londoners still have a six-point cushion to 18th-ranked Swansea City and a vastly superior goal difference so it would take a disastrous run of results to sink Sam Allardyces men.

The Eagles have won four of their last six away games including a 2-1 win at Liverpool on their last outing. At the beginning of April, they also triumphed against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Team news

Manchester City:

Injured - Sergio Aguero (groin), Claudio Bravo (calf strain), Ilkay Gundogan (knee).

Doubtful: John Stones (muscular), David Silva (ankle).

Crystal Palace:

Injured - Yohan Cabaye (knock), Mamadou Sakho (knee), James Tomkins (ankle), Scott Dann (knee), Connor Wickham (knee ligament), Pape Souare (surgery).

Recent form (League)

Manchester City: DDWWL

Crystal Palace: LLWDW

Betting odds and tips

Manchester City are undefeated in their last 9 home matches but they have drawn four of their last six. What`s more, they are unbeaten in 11 games against the bottom six this term, having won nine and drawn two. However, they have struggled to keep clean sheets so the visitors will fancy their chances of getting on the score sheet.

Palace have been decent on the road in recent weeks, claiming two big scalps in the process but injuries to key defenders have halted their revival and the home side can be expected to take advantage.

You can back the Home Win/Both Teams to Score at 13/10 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 04/05/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (04/05/2017 08:43:41) but are subject to change.