In-form Manchester City face a solid battle against Crystal Palace

Reigning champions Manchester City take on Crystal Palace at the Etihad with both teams on good run of forms lately.

In their last league outing, the Citizens were able to breeze past Aston Villa with a 6-1 victory. A hat-trick from Sergio Aguero, a brace from Riyad Mahrez and a goal from Gabriel Jesus helped the Sky Blues get the three points.

Crystal Palace were also very fortunate to get a result against Arsenal. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring for the Gunners with Jordan Ayew getting the equaliser for the Eagles. Aubameyang was sent off later on with Arsenal finishing the game with ten men but, the result stayed at a 1-1 draw.

Team news

Manchester City have no new reported injury problems ahead of the visit of Crystal Palace.

Aymeric Laporte is back in full training but unlikely to play, while Leroy Sane is a long-term absentee.

Injury-hit Crystal Palace are without Luka Milivojevic, who is serving the second of a three-match suspension.

Loan signing Cenk Tosun could make his first start for the London side, while Christian Benteke, who has had a muscle strain, will be monitored. Max Meyer may also miss the game as he makes his way to being 100% match fit.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has lauded Roy Hodgson’s enthusiasm to continue in management despite his advanced age.

“It’s incredible to still have the passion to be a manager at his age,” the boss revealed in a press conference before Saturday’s 3pm kick-off.

“We cannot forget their position when he took over. Everyone considered Palace relegated. He made an incredible job and he is still doing one.

“It’s a pleasure for me when we face each other, and we have a good relationship.”

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has provided a brief update on the fitness of his first-team squad before Crystal Palace travel to face Manchester City this weekend.

“It [team news] doesn’t change that much. Obviously we were hoping to recover Max Meyer but that’s not been possible. So we’re one further player down.

“Joel Ward who’s been missing for a long period, he returns. Scott Dann of course returned before the last game [Arsenal]. There are still a lot of players from the intended first-team down. The bench will be made up largely of the Under-23 squad [v Man City].”

Head-to-head

City have won seven of the past nine Premier League meetings. Those seven wins have produced an aggregate score of 22-2 in City’s favour. However, Palace’s 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium in December 2018 was the only Premier League defeat that City suffered at home last season.

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