Crystal Palace v Manchester City - Match preview and odds

15:00 pm - Selhurst Park

It’s not often that a game between Crystal Palace and Manchester City can be described as a “top-of-the-table clash,” but after four rounds of Premier League matches, that’s exactly how this clash on Saturday will be billed.

City hit the ground running

After a disappointing campaign last year, Manuel Pellegrini’s team have defied many observers’ pre-season predictions by storming into an early lead in the title race. After strolling to with four wins out of four without conceding a goal, they now have a goal difference of +10 and are eight points clear of last year’s Premier League champions Chelsea.

Meanwhile Alan Pardew has led his Crystal Palace side to second place in the table with three wins out of the first four games. The Eagles have already faced two of last year’s top four having lost at home to Arsenal and beaten Chelsea away at Stamford Bridge. Palace will be looking to be the first team to score a goal or take a point from the two-time Premier League champions, and they will be buoyed by the fact that they won the corresponding fixture last year by two goals to one.

Team news

Manchester City may hand a debut to midfield playmaker Kevin De Bruyne who signed from Bundesliga club Wolfsburg in the summer. The 24-year-old has returned from international duty with Belgium and will be considered for selection.

Meanwhile right-back Bacary Sagna may miss out after picking up an injury while playing for France. With Pablo Zabeleta also out it could mean that new-signing Nicolas Otamendi may be required to stand in as a makeshift right-back.

Recent form

Crystal Palace: WWLWDW
Manchester City: WWWWWW

Betting odds and tips

Yaya Toure has scored against Palace in the last three meetings between these teams and can be backed at 11/4 with Coral to make it four games in a row.

With City in such irresistible form, it is hard to bet against them however, they may be weakened slightly by having no recognised right-back on the pitch. If Alan Pardew can take advantage of this fact, Palace may be able to cause their visitors some problems down the left flank. A city win is likely but expect both teams to score.

So far this season, all of the home side’s goals have come from midfielders or defenders with two having been scored by new signing Bakary Sako. The winger was prolific during his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers and can be backed at 14/1 with bet365 to get his name on the score sheet for a third time this weekend.

Go To bet365

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12/09/2015     © Frixo 2024