Crystal Palace vs Man City: preview, predictions and line-ups

Manchester City look to make it two wins in a row when they visit 17th-placed Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

The reigning Premier League champions had already lost six of their previous seven. Wednesday night's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Kevin De Bruyne returned to the starting line-up and inspired the triumph as Man City closed the gap between them and league leaders Liverpool to nine points.

Crystal Palace picked up a significant victory of their own in midweek as they narrowly beat Ipswich Town at Portman Road. Tuesday's 1-0 victory thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta's second-half goal means the Eagles are now three points above the relegation zone ahead of Saturday's tough encounter.

Here is 90 minutes guide to Saturday's clash at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace vs Man City H2H record (last five matches)

Current form (all competitions)

Oliver Glasner has plenty of options ahead of the visit to Man City, but he remains without influential midfielder Adam Wharton. The youngster underwent groin surgery in November and although he is close to returning, he will not be available this weekend.

Chadi Riad and Matheus Franca are still sidelined due to long-term issues that have caused them to miss months of action. Franco Umeh-Chibueze, 19, is also absent, although the left winger is yet to make a senior appearance for the Eagles despite being named on the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in the campaign.

Glanser is unlikely to make many changes to the team that beat Ipswich, although Jefferson Lerma could come into midfield after replacing Cheick Doucouré at half-time against Ipswich.

Crystal Palace predicted line-up against Man City (5-2-3): Henderson; Munoz, Chalobah, Lacroix, Guéhi, Mitchell; Hughes, Lerma; Sarr, Mateta, Èze.

Man City have been struggling with injuries this season and Pep Guardiola was dealt another blow in midweek. Nathan Ake was withdrawn late in the win over Forest with a hamstring problem and is expected to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

Phil Foden missed the clash through illness and could return to Selhurst Park, but Mateo Kovacic, Rodri, Oscar Bobb and John Stones will all be unavailable for the trip to the capital.

Stefan Ortega has started Man City's last two matches but Ederson could be reinstated in the XI after a rest. Kyle Walker could also join the lineup after an expected defensive shakeup due to Ake's injury.

De Bruyne made his first start since mid-September against Forest and was the top player with a goal and an assist. Guardiola will be careful not to overwork the Belgian but he has no choice but to restart him on Saturday.

Predicted line-up of Man City vs Crystal Palace (4-1-4-1): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Guardiol; Gundogan; Savinho, De Bruyne, Silva, Doku; Haaland.

Guardiola hopes Man City have turned a corner after their convincing midweek win, but defensive vulnerabilities remain for the reigning champions. In front of a raucous Selhurst Park crowd, those weaknesses will be put to the test.

However, while Palace have improved in recent weeks, they remain an unpredictable unit. They have managed just six points from seven home matches this season and face a potentially resurgent Man City side led by the magical De Bruyne.

It will be far from easy for a Man City side desperate to find their form, but they should get the job done in London.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Man City

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