Manchester City will be chasing successive wins to start the 2026-27 Premier League season on August 28 when they travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace.
Sage Hoping For More Efficiency in Front Of Goal
Pierre Sage’s reign at Crystal Palace started with a defeat at Everton last Saturday. However, the Eagles will have taken confidence from their first half performance, as they dominated the game and would have been ahead if not for the wastefulness in the final third.
Palace recorded an xG of 1.96 in the defeat, missing four big chances. he long-term future of Jean-Philippe Mateta is in question, and we could see the Frenchman benched on Friday.
Jørgen Strand Larsen could be handed a start in his place, but the Norwegian has not scored in his last five appearances. Ismaila Sarr is a fitness concern for Friday, while Chadi Riad is missing due to injury.
Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs Manchester City (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Canvot, Tomiyasu, Richards; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Pino, McNeil; Larsen
Maresca Chasing Successive Wins to Start City Tenure
Enzo Maresca would have breathed a sigh of relief after Manchester City’s late comeback to beat Bournemouth on the opening day of the season, ensuring that the Citizens avoided the prospect of back-to-back losses.
Marc Guehi caught the eye in a midfield role, scoring and creating two big chances. The introduction of Rayan Cherki was ultimately crucial, with the Frenchman registering two assists from the bench.
City sold winger Savinho to Tottenham this week, and Omar Marmoush is reportedly leaving the club before the deadline. Jeremy Doku is the only player missing for Maresca’s City on Friday.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Lewis, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol; Anderson, Guehi; Cherki, O’Reilly, Semenyo; Haaland
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Prediction
- Safe Tip: Total Over 2 Goals
- Odds: 1.28 (22Bet)
- 22Bet Booking Code: CX8RD
- Correct score prediction: Crystal Palace 1-3 Manchester City
Key stats:
- Each of Manchester City’s last three games has seen at least three goals scored.
- A minimum of three goals have been netted in three of Crystal Palace’s previous four fixtures.
- Over 2 goals have been scored in the last five head-to-head meetings between these teams in the Premier League.
A high-scoring encounter at Selhurst Park is expected on Friday. Over two goals have been scored in each of the last five Premier League head-to-heads, which includes 3-0 wins for the Citizens in the previous two.
Goals have been prominent in fixtures involving Maresca’s City, with at least three being scored in the previous three. That trend has also been common in games involving Palace, with over two goals netted in three of their most recent four.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Prediction, Value Tip
- Value Tip: Manchester City (-1)
- Odds: 2.025 (22Bet)
- 22Bet Booking Code: GUASD
Expect a big-scoring win for Manchester City against a Crystal Palace side who will be without main scoring threats like Sarr and Mateta. The Citizens showed their attacking quality in last weekend’s win against Bournemouth, and they have now scored at least twice in three of their previous four.
The head-to-head trends also support the chances of a wide-scoring winning margin, with City having won each of their last three league fixtures against Palace by at least three goals.
Verdict: Over 2 Goals (1.28) — Crystal Palace 1-3 Manchester City
