Manchester City v Crystal Palace: Line-ups, stats and preview

Match Preview for Manchester City v Crystal Palace

Manchester City have just seven Premier League games left to salvage something from what has been a disappointing season.

Pep Guardiola’s side started the 2024-25 campaign as four-time defending champions and seemingly the team to beat but a terrible run around Christmas opened cracks that have never truly been repaired.

There have been flashes of the old City in emphatic wins over Ipswich and Newcastle but their form has remained inconsistent.

That has led to a timidness not normally associated with Guardiola’s teams, who have traditionally operated on the front foot and by dominating the ball and moving the opposition around until they can hold out no longer.

That has not been the case in recent weeks and was again evident in last weekend’s woeful 0-0 draw at Manchester United – a result that saw them drop to sixth in the Premier League.

A look at some of our most memorable moments against Crystal Palace at the Etihad ⏪🩵 pic.twitter.com/vBuuk8sMVj

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 11, 2025

City never really looked like scoring despite facing a United side that has yet to find any rhythm under Ruben Amorim.

It certainly won’t be any easier against a Palace side that have hit a rich vein of form under Oliver Glasner.

Palace have won 11 of their last 14 in all competitions and will be buoyed by defeating arch-rivals Brighton last time out.

The South London side start the weekend in 11th but are still not completely out of the picture for European qualification, although they will need plenty of issues elsewhere to go their way for that to happen.

Team News for Manchester City v Crystal Palace

City continue to be without Erling Haaland, and the big Norwegian was noticeable by his absence at Old Trafford. Omar Marmoush played in a more advanced role in Haaland’s stead but the Egyptian lacks the physicality to bully defenders the way Haaland does.

Guardiola was quite cautious in his approach against United but he will have to loosen the shackles against Palace if City are to claim a much-needed three points. That could see the likes of Jeremy Doku and Savinho play from the off.

Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Rodri remain sidelined.

The win over Brighton came at a cost for Palace with both Marc Guehi and Eddie Nketiah receiving red cards and they will miss the trip to the Etihad due to suspension. The visitors also have a doubt over defender Maxence Lacroix.

Predicted line-ups for Manchester City v Crystal Palace

Manchester City: Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Khusanov, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Foden, De Bruyne; Doku, Savinho, Marmoush

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Lerma, Lacroix, Ward; Munoz, Mitchell; Kamada, Wharton, Sarr, Eze, Mateta

How to watch Manchester City v Crystal Palace: TV and streams

Manchester City v Crystal Palace kicks off at 1230 UK time and can be watched on TNT Sports.

It can be streamed via the Discovery+ app.

Stats for Manchester City v Crystal Palace

Prediction for Manchester City v Crystal Palace

Palace have improved enormously after a slow start but the absence of Guehi could be crucial here.

The England defender is the lynchpin in the back three and his absence could enable City to show their teeth going forward.

Don’t be surprised either if Kevin De Bruyne, in his first game since announcing his departure from City at the end of the season, is the star of the show.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Crystal Palace