Manchester City vs Crystal Palace predictions: Citizens to take down depleted Eagles
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- City are sixth, a point behind fourth-placed Chelsea
- Palace are 11th, two points behind Bournemouth in 10th
- Recommended bet: Manchester City to win and both teams to score
Manchester City will be hoping to boost their top-four hopes when they welcome top-half chasing Crystal Palace to the Etihad Stadium for Premier League action on Saturday.
The Citizens are two places and a point adrift of Chelsea in fourth heading into this weekend's fixtures, although fifth-placed Newcastle have a game in hand on the pair and the battle for Champions League football looks like it will go down to the wire.
In a boost for next season's top-tier European competition, England will be guaranteed five places and that has opened the door for teams such as Aston Villa, Fulham and Brighton to land a top-five finish.
Team news
City remain without top scorer Erling Haaland, who is not expected back until mid-May, while John Stones, Nathan Ake and Rodri are all sidelined.
Manuel Akanji is making progress from a groin issue but is not set to be back until the end of April.
Palace are sweating over the availability of Maxence Lacroix, who came off in the win over Brighton with concussion, while Marc Guehi and Eddie Nketiah are suspended after picking up red cards against the Seagulls.
Chris Richards is in contention to return from a spell out, but Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad are both long-term absentees.
The stats
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City are on a four-game unbeaten run in all competitions and have lost just one of their last seven home matches in the league.
Palace have gone seven matches without tasting defeat, winning six and drawing one, while they last lost on their travels in the top flight in October 2024.
The Eagles have scored in seven successive away matches, notching two or more goals in six of those.
The Citizens have failed to find the back of the net in just one of their last 14 fixtures at the Etihad.
Prediction
City are fighting hard to secure Champions League football for next season and they can aid their cause with a victory over a Palace side that is depleted in defence.
The Eagles already had to drop Jefferson Lerma into the backline for the win over Brighton last time out and while he performed admirably, the two players next to him that day are set to miss out.
Guehi is definitely absent because of suspension and Lacroix is a huge doubt due to concussion, leaving Oliver Glasner with some major reshuffling to do at the back and he will potentially have to switch formation.
These absences have come at the wrong time for a Palace side that have been flying and the Citizens, who failed to impress in the 0-0 draw against Manchester United last weekend, can take advantage of the situation.
Pep Guardiola's side are still a huge threat going forward, even without Haaland in their ranks, but they are also fragile at the back and they may struggle to win this one without conceding.
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