Premier League preview and odds: Manchester City vs Crystal Palace

Published on: 15/01/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Manchester City vs Crystal Palace

January 16, 2016 15:00pm - Etihad Stadium

Premier League

Manchester City will be looking to keep the pressure on their Premier League title rivals on Saturday when they welcome a wobbling Crystal Palace side to the Etihad Stadium.

City struggling to take initiative

Manchester City are still many peoples favourites for the Premier League title, but after a run of just two wins in their last five games, they remain three points off the pace in third place.

In their last match, they were held to a goalless draw at home by 11th-ranked Everton. That result brought to an end a run of three straight home wins for the Citizens.

Palace suffer double blow

Not so long ago, Crystal Place were staking a claim for top four place, but a brace of draws followed by back-to-back defeats has sunk them to eighth place in the table, five points shy of the Champions League qualification zone.

They come into this tricky away game on the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to league stragglers Aston Villa. That result marked a first away defeat in five matches for the Eagles. Prior to the game against Villa, they were thumped 3-0 at home by a resurgent Chelsea side.

Team news

The home side will be without Eliaquim Mangala, Fernandinho, Wilfried Bony, Vincent Kompany and Samir Nasri.

Meanwhile, Alan Pardew will have to cope without the services of Dwight Gayle, Connor Wickham, Yannick Bolasie and Kwesi Appiah.

Recent form (League)

Manchester City: DWDWL

Crystal Palace: LLDDW

Betting odds and tips

Manuel Pellegrini`s men still have a strong record having won six of their last eight and losing just once. Palace have lost just one of their last five away games but that came last time out against the worst team in the league.

Nine of City`s 11 home games have finished with Over 2.5 Goals, and that result can be backed at 13/20 with Bet365. Those odds represent a 60% probability for an outcome that has occurred 82% of the time. Now thats good value.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 15/01/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (15/01/2016 14:07:29) but are subject to change.