Manchester City vs Crystal Palace preview

By Ric Turner, Fri 11 April 2025 17:27


Manchester City vs Crystal Palace previewBlues desperate for points against in-form Palace as they chase CL qualification

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace

Competition: F.A. Premier League

Date: 12.30pm, Saturday 12th April 2025

Venue: Selhurst Park, South London

Referee: Jarred Gillett Assistants: D Cann, I Hussin Fourth Official: C Kavanagh VAR: P Bankes

Odds: City 4/7, Draw 15/4, Palace 5/1

Tickets: Available via tickets.mancity.com

TV: TNT Sports

Manchester City

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Dias, Reis, Gvardiol, Khusanov, Lewis, Kovacic, Grealish, Gonzalez, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Silva, Nunes, Foden, Bobb, McAtee, Marmoush, Doku, Savinho

Injured: Rodri, Ake, Haaland, Stones, Akanji

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Form guide: DWWDL

Crystal Palace

Manager: Oliver Glasner

Squad (from): Henderson, Moulden, Matthews, Ward, Mitchell, Lacroix, Munoz, Clyne, Chilwell, Richards, Lerma, Eze, Kamada, Hughes, Wharton, Devenny, Agbinone, Sarr, Franca, Mateta, Ebiowei

Injured: Dnanou, Doucoure, Turner, Esse

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Nketiah, Gueye

Form guide: WDWWW

The Blues will be without Rodri, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, Erling Haaland and John Stones for the visit of Crystal Palace on Saturday. Injuries have blighted City's campaign, but manager Pep Guardiola refused to use it as an excuse despite the club facing a battle to qualify for next season's Champions League.

“[Injuries] happened all season, we adapt,” he said at Friday's press conference.

“You can see it as a problem or a challenge, the position is a disaster or it could be worse.

“I’m happy with the way we handled the situation and where we are.

“The challenge is to qualify in the Champions League next season, the home games, difficult ones we have and tomorrow we have a team in incredible top form in the last month or two months.

“Always it’s difficult with Palace here, I admire a lot the manager (Oliver Glasner) and way they play, the talent and physicality there are no doubts. But we have to be optimistic to finish well this season.”

City drew their last home game against Palace 2-2, with goals from Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis. Overall City have won 38 of the 72 games played against the Eagles, with 17 draws and 17 defeats.

Predicted line-up: Ederson, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly, Gonzalez, Gundogan, Grealish, Savinho, Doku, Marmoush

Score prediction: City 2 Palace 1