Manchester City vs Crystal Palace Predictions

• Eight of the last nine meetings between these sides at the Etihad have gone over 3.5 goals
• Manchester City are the Premier League’s highest scorers this term, netting 38 times in 16 games
• Crystal Palace have scored twice on both of their last two trips to the Etihad

Action-packed encounter at the Etihad

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace is not a match that stands out on a fixture list, given the former’s usual dominance in the Premier League, but perhaps it is a contest that should be given more respect from the neutral.

Eight of the last nine meetings between these sides at the Etihad Stadium have seen four or more goals, with both teams adding to that total in four of those clashes.

It tends to be a fixture that throws up plenty of goals and this year’s renewal should be no different, with City leading the scoring charts in the Premier League this term after netting 38 times in their 16 games to date.

Keeper crisis for Crystal Palace

Norwegian scoring-expert Erling Haaland is a doubt for this clash, but that should not stop the rampant hosts running riot – especially with the Eagles likely missing both of their first-choice goalkeepers meaning Remi Matthews, who made his Premier League debut at the age of 29 last weekend and is likely not up to this standard, set to start between the sticks for the visitors.

The Citizens’ last league home match, a 3-3 thriller with Spurs, saw the ball hit the net six times and a similarly exciting contest should be expected when Palace arrive in Manchester on Saturday.

Eagles can help goals total sore

Manchester City had hit somewhat of a rough patch prior to their win at Luton, going an unprecedented four Premier League matches without a victory prior to that triumph at Kenilworth Road.

Their poor form has been attributed to many things, most commonly the absence of creative genius Kevin De Bruyne or the exit of key midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, but it would seem the majority of their issues are actually in a different area to the centre of the park – defence.

City, usually so resolute at the back, have kept just one clean sheet in their last ten Premier League games and have conceded to lowly Wolves and Luton in that run as well as shipping goals against relative minnows Young Boys and Red Star Belgrade in their Champions League campaign.

The Citizens’ defence is far from reliable and Crystal Palace could find some joy at the Etihad on Saturday, just as they have in their last two visits when scoring twice on both occasions.

The Eagles have scored in four of their last five away matches, including against Manchester United, and could help add to the goals total against a leaky City rear-guard.