Manchester City v Crystal Palace predictions: Solid Eagles may make City wait

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Manchester City v Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.

When to bet

Saturday 3pm

Best bet

First goal to be scored after 23:00
2pts 5-6 bet365

Team news

Manchester City
Ferran Torres is City's only significant absentee. Pep Guardiola shuffled his pack for the EFL Cup exit at West Ham on Wednesday but Phil Foden is set to start after his brace at Brighton last weekend.

Crystal Palace
Wilfried Zaha should return to the starting 11 after illness but Eberechi Eze and Nathan Ferguson are still recovering from long-term injuries.

Match preview

Manchester City were knocked out of the EFL Cup for the first time in five years this week, losing on penalties after a goalless draw at West Ham, but the Premier League champions are expected to make light work of Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Eagles won 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium in December 2018 before a 2-2 draw in 2019-20 and a 4-0 loss last term and they can stand firm in the early stages in Manchester.

Patrick Vieira has made a solid start as Palace boss and their only defeats in his first nine league matches have come in away fixtures at Chelsea and Liverpool.

Bet365 set their line for the time of the first goal at 23:00 and nine of Palace's ten league and cup games this term have been goalless at that stage.

Vieira will not want to give his former club any early encouragement and it may take time for City to demonstrate their superiority.

Key stat

Manchester City have scored only once before the 25th minute in their last eight meetings with Palace.

Inside info

Manchester City

Penalty taker Kevin De Bruyne
Free-kick wizard Kevin De Bruyne
Set-piece aerial threat Aymeric Laporte
Card magnet Rodri

Crystal Palace

Penalty taker Wilfried Zaha/Luka Milivojevic
Free-kick wizard Luka Milivojevic
Set-piece aerial threat Joachim Andersen
Card magnet Joel Ward

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