The English premier league continues an exhilarating season this weekend (May 6th), as league rivals Manchester City FC and Crystal Palace FC square off at the Etihad Stadium, with the kick-off due to start at (13:30 CET/12:30 GMT). The last encounter between these two sides, ended with a victory for Pep Guardiola’s City, and this time around the Sky Blues have the home advantage. Can the travelling Eagle’s wrestle away all three points from the hosts this Saturday? One thing’s for sure, this match is set to be a fascinating contest and hopefully we will see a lot of goals scored on both sides.
MANCHESTER CITY FC vs. CRYSTAL PALACE FC
3-Way: 1: Manchester City FC -345; X: +600 Draw; Crystal Palace FC +1102
Spread -1.5: Manchester City FC -118 ; Crystal Palace FC +125
Total +3.5 : Over +100; Under +104
MANCHESTER CITY FC
The Manchester City FC had the opportunity to close the gap on the 3rd placed Liverpool FC over the weekend, when they played against the struggling side Middlesbrough, but failed to capitalize, in what was a dramatic affair at the Riverside stadium, that ended (2:2). If the Sky blues had snapped up all three points, they would have extended the gap over their local rivals Manchester United, who could only manage a draw against relegation side Swansea City over the weekend.
The Manchester City are currently ranked 4th in the league, just four points behind Liverpool, and a point in front of manager Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils. The City are currently unbeaten in eight games at the Etihad Stadium, and have won two of their last four games on home soil, one of which was a comprehensive victory over Hull City (3:1), and the other a (2:1) win over relegation battling Swansea City back in February.
The Sky Blues have won eight of their fifteen home matches this season, only having lost once as the hosts, but the City’s away record has eclipsed their home form this season, and the club will be hoping to rectify this statistic, when they take on Crystal Palace this weekend. The Manchester City drew their last match, and are unbeaten in the league, in their last three competitive contests. Manchester City has accumulated a total of 42 goals at home, and have scored over 2.5 goals in nine of their fifteen matches played on home soil.
The clubs top goal scorer is the Argentinean ace striker Sergio Aguero, the forward has found the net 18 times domestically, and has scored 31 times in all competitions. The top striker is one behind the lethal forward Alexis Sanchez of the Gunners, in the hunt for the prestigious Golden Boot award. Leroy Sane, and ex-Liverpool star Raheem Sterling are both tied at nine goals each for the season.
The scintillating Spaniard David Silva and England International centre back John Stones are doubtful, after the pair missed last weekend’s clash at the Riverside, whilst midfielder Fabian Delph is unlikely to return to the starting eleven, after sustaining a knock in his club’s (2:2) result, away to Middlesbrough last weekend, and midfielder Yaya Toure looks set to join the City’s attacking ranks once again, after the Ivorian was rested during his side’s recent stalemate.
CRYSTAL PALACE FC
Crystal Palace FC will be looking to rediscover their winning formula, after Sam Allardyce’s Eagles side have suffered recent, successive defeats in the English Premier league. The club currently finds itself in a critical position, posed precariously over the relegation zone, just six points clear of the scrapping Swansea City, who are currently ranked 18th. The Manchester City has already got the better of the Eagles twice this season at the Selhurst Park, and Sam Allardyce will hope to put a stop to this miserable trend, when his side meets the Sky Blue’s this Saturday.
The Crystal Palace lost their latest match in the English Premier league at home to Burnley FC (0:2), but managed to win their last away trip at Anfield (2:1), when the side heroically turned the tables on league rivals Liverpool, after going a goal down. The Crystal Palace has won more matches away from home, than as hosts this season (H5, A6), and the club has lost two games less on their travels this campaign (H-10, A-8), which is encouraging signs, as the side prepares to take on the mighty manager Pep Guardiola, and his City side this weekend.
The Belgian forward Christian Benteke, is the clubs current top goals corer, with a tally of 16 goals this season. The sensational striker found his scoring boots, in his club’s recent skirmish at Anfield, against his former club. Benteke’s fellow teammate and Ivorian forward Wilfried Zaha, is second in the clubs goals coring chart, with a total of six goals, but the skillful attacker has been more effective as a playmaker this season, providing five assists throughout this campaign.
The Crystal Palace may have to make do without defensive duo Scott Dann and James Tomkins, who are still recovering from injury, whilst French powerhouse Mamadou Sakho is likely to miss the match this Saturday, after the defender was stretchered off in his clubs (0:1) loss to Tottenham earlier this season.
Manchester City FC vs. Crystal Palace FC Prediction
The Manchester City will be looking to return to winning ways, after their shock result to the relegation side Middlesbrough (2:2). The Sky Blues will be desperate to extend the gap between themselves and local adversaries the Red Devils to four points, in a bid to secure fourth spot, and with it, a Champions league playoff position. Having said that, the City’s ambitious manager Pep Guardiola has his sights set on the third place, as his team find themselves just three points adrift of Liverpool.
The Crystal Palace has a better record away from home this season, and the dwindling side will be desperate to climb free from the clutches of relegation. Both teams have plenty to play for, which should make this contest a pulse-racing blockbuster event.
With all being said, the win from the home team is more than expected, but with the odds offered at -345, which is way too high, I am turning my looks elsewhere and exploring other betting options. Goals have not been missing in the previous meetings of these two teams and considering the fact that Crystal Palace has managed to score away from home in 4 of their last 5 game, and especially their superb performance of the visitors at the Anfield, I am expecting both teams to score at least one goal!!!
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (-139)
