Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Unibet
Hoping to widen their buffer at the top of the Premier League table, Manchester City will make the trip to Selhurst Park when they meet Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace
Starting with the hosts, while Crystal Palace might have shown some extended inconsistencies this season, the Eagles do appear to be enjoying a March boost. Last seen putting in another eye-catching display and landing a 2-0 win against top-six hopefuls Wolves on the road, Patrick Vieira’s men have their sights set on securing a top-half finish this season. Extending on their FA Cup adventure earlier in the month thanks to a 2-1 win against Championship outfit Stoke at Selhurst Park, the former Arsenal icon has seen his side lose just one of their last eight matchups across all formats. With their recent resurge stemming back to their 3-1 loss against Liverpool on January 23rd, Monday’s hosts will also be boosted by their shock last meeting against the league leaders. Making the trip back to the Etihad back in October, the Eagles picked up a stunning 2-0 victory.
Team News
Crystal Palace should be boosted by the return of defender Joel Ward who has overcome a groin injury.
However, fellow right-back Nathan Ferguson remains absent with a hamstring issue, while James McArthur is still dealing with a knock.
Manchester City
As for the visitors, after watching Liverpool pick up a 2-0 win away at Brighton on Saturday lunchtime, Manchester City know that they can not afford any slip-ups. Hoping to widen their buffer at the top of the table back to six points here, Pep Guardiola’s men should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Extending on their Champions League adventure and last seen on Premier League duties claiming a thrilling 4-1 win against bitter local rivals Manchester United, the former Bayern Munich boss has seen his side lose just one of their last 18 outings, a run that stems back to December 7th. Hoping to lay down a marker at Selhurst Park on Monday night, the Sky Blues do have one attacking talisman enjoying a real free-scoring run. Bagging a second-half brace in the Manchester derby last weekend, Riyad Mahrez has now racked up 20 goals this season, including eight in his last nine appearances.
Team News
Settling for a spot on the bench against Sporting Lisbon, Kevin De Bruyne is set to make his return on Monday night.
However, Manchester City will once again be without defensive star Ruben Dias who is dealing with a hamstring injury.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides faced off at the Etihad back in October, Crystal Palace picked up a shock 2-0 victory.
- However, that is the only win that the Eagles have collected from their last six meetings against Manchester City.
- Riyad Mahrez has bagged eight goals in his last nine matchups across all formats.
- The Premier League leaders have lost just one of their last 18 outings, a run that stems back to December 7th.
- Crystal Palace have failed to win any of their last four Premier League matchups at Selhurst Park.
Conclusion
Managing to claim that rampant 4-1 win at home against bitter rivals Manchester United last weekend, Pep Guardiola’s will be desperate to keep up that momentum on Monday night. Looking to once again widen their buffer at the top of the table to six points, City will also be hoping to pick up revenge after that shock 2-0 loss against Crystal Palace back in October. Storming on a run of form that has seen them lose just one of their previous 18 matchups across all formats, Monday’s hosts will know that they face a huge task in south London. Failing to win any of their last four Premier League meetings at Selhurst Park, we’re backing an away victory for the Sky Blues here.
Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Unibet
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