Premier League: Sky Blues Aim to Clip the Eagles’ Wings

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City

It’s fourth versus second in the Premier League match of the weekend, as Crystal Palace host Manchester City in a Sunday smasher at Selhurst Park.

The Sky Blues haven’t met the Eagles since they were stunned in the 2025 FA Cup final, as Palace picked up their first major trophy thanks to an Eberechi Eze goal, and they will be looking to exact some revenge, as well as putting the top-flight upstarts in their place.

The Eagles are due to play away to Shelbourne in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday night, and Oliver Glasner is sure to rotate his squad. Pep Guardiola will have a day longer for his team to rest and prepare after their Champions League tie away to Real Madrid on Wednesday night. And the Sky Blues will be in high spirits after they beat Los Blancos 2-1 to move up to fourth in the Champions League table.

 

Talking Points

The Eagles can cope with the pace

Palace manager Oliver Glasner is one of the stars of the Premier League right now after he led the South London team to its first major trophy last May, and now sees his team riding high in the leading group of the Premier League. Often, when teams win qualification to a European competition for the first time, the excitement is often replaced by a severe dose of reality when the Thursday and Sunday routine sets in. But we’re over a third of the way through the campaign, and Palace show no sign of collapsing under the pressure.

Marc Guehi’s late winner gave Palace a London Derby victory away to Fulham, never an easy place to go, and that earned Glasner’s team back-to-back wins on the road after they also snatched a 1-0 win away to Burnley. Former Arsenal star Eddie Nketiah scored the opener against the Cottagers, and he is part of a talented attacking group which is led by Jean-Phillipe Mateta and wingers Daichi Kamada and Yeremy Pino in its ranks. And midfield ace Adam Wharton is improving week on week as one of the best passers in the business.

Glasner has the players which will help him succeed, and I wouldn’t put it past the Eagles picking up some more silverware this season, most likely in Europe, but they have a huge test on Sunday when they meet the Sky Blues.

 

City’s transition period may be coming to an end

Aston Villa’s defeat of Arsenal last week blew open the title race, and the Premier League 2025 betting odds have tightened a little, having been right behind the Gunners for much of the campaign so far. City took advantage with their clinical beating of Sunderland, and they followed up an impressive run of Premier League 2025 results by beating Real Madrid in confident style.

The Sky Blues seem to have their swagger back, and that is bad news for their rivals. It is no surprise that midfielder Phil Foden is back to his best. The 25-year-old has made a contribution in nine goals in his last seven starts since the start of November, more than any other player in this period.

Rayan Cherki was outstanding against the Black Cats, providing two assists to make it five for the season from five starts, and the crowd rose to its feet when he was substituted late in the game.

Erling Haaland scored the winner against Los Blancos on Wednesday, and the big Norwegian has scored 15 goals in 15 league games to lead the race for the Golden Boot.

A couple of years ago, this was an aging side. But with the addition of Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders, and the emergence of the likes of Nico O’Reilly, this is a team with plenty of energy. They are starting to look very good, indeed.

 

History

Manchester City have won 21 of the 30 encounters with the Eagles, losing four and drawing five. A month before the FA Cup final, the Sky Blues slapped Palace 5-2 at the Etihad Stadium, and the two teams played out a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park in December last year.

City have won 11 of their 16 games at Selhurst Park, with three draws and just two defeats. The Sky Blues have won four of their last five Premier League games, while the Eagles have won three, drawn one, and lost one.

 

Betting Tip

Palace are at SBOTOP odds of 3.85 to beat the Sky Blues on Sunday, and 3.70 to draw with the Double Chance: Palace or Draw at 1.90.

There will be plenty of interest in those prices in South London, but from where I sit at 20 miles south of Manchester, Pep Guardiola’s men should have too much for the Eagles, with that extra day to prepare.

   

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