Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Prediction, Match Preview & Live Streaming, December 07, 2024

The Premier League is back with another thrilling match as Crystal Palace faces off against Manchester City on December 7, 2024, at 08:30 PM IST. This Round 15 clash at Selhurst Park is set to deliver excitement as both teams find themselves in different positions halfway through the season.

Crystal Palace is sitting in 17th place, fighting through ongoing troubles under the guidance of manager Oliver Glasner. On the other hand, Manchester City, the reigning champs, are placed fourth, although they’ve shown some surprising ups and downs this season under the leadership of Pep Guardiola.

Crystal Palace comes into this game looking to ride the wave of their encouraging victory against Ipswich Town. Meanwhile, Manchester City is fresh from a dominant 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, eager to continue their recovery after a rough patch. With Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne at the forefront, City’s attack presents a significant threat. Crystal Palace, relying heavily on top scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta, needs sharp precision up front. The weather forecast predicts a cool 6.86°C, perfect for an energetic game. Tune in to ESPN and Disney+ for live coverage, with Robert Jones as the referee, heightening the anticipation for this Premier League showdown.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Prediction & Betting Tip

This match sets the stage for Manchester City to show their might, with odds leaning toward a convincing win for the visiting team. Given City’s successful history against Palace and the return of the talented Kevin De Bruyne, a victory margin of two or more goals seems likely. Palace’s defensive weaknesses and City’s attacking strength, led by Haaland, are key factors in this outlook.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Odds

Manchester City is favored to win in the betting odds, with a win priced at 1.68, underscoring their reputation despite recent hiccups. In contrast, Crystal Palace is at longer odds of 4.75, highlighting the challenge they face. A draw is priced at 4.08, suggesting it’s less likely. Odds for over 2.5 goals are 1.61, indicating expectations for an open game with plenty of scoring chances. Odds for both teams to score are 1.62, hinting at an evenly matched fighting spirit from both attacks.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Live Streaming: Premier League

The Premier League live broadcast is present in India with the Star Sports Network. The Live streaming of the matches is available on the Disney+Hotstar website and app. Fans can watch Crystal Palace vs Manchester City live streaming on Disney+Hotstar at 8:30 PM on Saturday, December 7. Crystal Palace Team Analysis

Crystal Palace Recent Performance

Crystal Palace has been showing flashes of potential amid their struggle for stability. Recently, they’ve recorded one win, three draws, and one loss in their last five matches, showcasing their uneven form. Their latest win, a tight 1-0 game against Ipswich Town, shows they can grind out results. However, they’ve hovered just above the relegation zone in 17th place.

This season, Palace has scored 12 goals and let in 18 over 14 matches, pointing to a tough campaign. While they’ve managed to find the net in six of their last seven games, they’ve only bagged two Premier League wins so far. This shows room for improvement, especially as they face a power-packed Manchester City offense.

Recent Form Table

Crystal Palace Key Players

Jean-Philippe Mateta leads Crystal Palace’s attack with four key goals to his name. His strength and knack for scoring are vital for breaking through Manchester City’s defense. Eberechi Eze brings creativity and finesse, coupled with Ismaïla Sarr’s speed, which offers lively threats from midfield.

In central positions, Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma provide defensive coverage and transition support. Defender Chadi Riad’s anticipated return would give their defense a much-needed boost. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson’s role is crucial as he prepares to handle City’s relentless attack.

Tyrick Mitchell’s position as a left midfielder balances defensive duties with offensive opportunities. Marc Guehi, garnering attention from top clubs, anchors Palace’s defense, key to halting City’s attacking stars.

Crystal Palace Suspensions & Injuries

Crystal Palace is dealing with significant injuries that affect their squad depth and game plan for the upcoming match. Matheus França is sidelined with a broken rib, slated to return in early January 2025. Likewise, Adam Wharton is out with a groin injury, expected back by mid-December, which stresses Palace’s need to adapt without these midfield reinforcements.

Chadi Riad is recovering from a knee injury and might return within days, offering defensive strength. These absences force manager Glasner to adjust tactics, leveraging players like Eze and Sarr to mitigate these challenges.

The status of injured players requires tactical tweaks, especially in set-piece approaches and defensive coverage. Palace aims to incorporate contributions from returning players and maintain resilience through disciplined strategies.

Crystal Palace Tactics and Formation

Manager Oliver Glasner is likely to line up Crystal Palace in a structured 5-3-2 formation, focusing on defensive strength and chances to counter. This setup likely includes Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guehi, and Maxence Lacroix as the central defensive trio, braced to withstand City’s attacking pressure.

In the midfield, Hughes and Lerma play crucial roles in disrupting City’s flow, with support from wide players like Mitchell and Muñoz providing width and defensive balance. Eze remains a pivotal creator, stationed behind Mateta to destabilize City’s defense with quick, direct action.

A key part of Glasner’s strategy will involve set pieces, using Mateta’s aerial ability to challenge City’s backline. Expect compact defensive organization and focused coverage to minimize spaces that City’s fluid style could exploit.

Manchester City Team Analysis

Manchester City Recent Performance

Manchester City comes into this match after overcoming a tricky period, now showing signs of recovery. Their last five games recorded one win, one draw, and three losses, reflecting struggles against so-called lesser opponents. However, a solid 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest suggests they’re finding their form.

This season, City has netted 25 goals and conceded 19, highlighting offensive strength but also defensive issues that Guardiola is keen to fix. Even though they hold fourth place, City’s inconsistency sees them trailing the league leaders, needing a turn in fortunes for a steady climb.

Recent Form Table

Manchester City Key Players

Erling Haaland is Manchester City’s main attacking force, essential for his goal-scoring prowess. Kevin De Bruyne, fresh off an injury, brings new life to the midfield with his creative talents and key transitions.

Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish play vital roles under Guardiola, blending skill and agility. In defense, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol form a crucial central pair, necessary to fend off Palace’s offensive pushes.

Ilkay Gündogan adds value as a defensive midfielder, crucial for City’s ball movement and possession retention. Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega offers stability behind the defense against Palace’s expected attacks. Full-backs Walker and Lewis are integral, providing width and overlap in offensive phases.

Manchester City Suspensions & Injuries

Manchester City faces several injuries, testing their squad depth but showing their resilience. Notably, Rodri is out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury, impacting midfield rotations. De Bruyne’s return from a recent groin injury is a significant boost for creative play.

Oscar Bobb is sidelined with a broken leg until early January 2025, limiting forward options. Mateo Kovacic is recovering from a muscle issue, eyeing a mid-December comeback, while Nathan Aké’s hamstring and Phil Foden’s illness suggest returns within days. Defensive bolstering is crucial with John Stones and Manuel Akanji needing fitness checks for possible involvement.

Guardiola’s strategic prowess and resourceful squad management are key to navigating these injury challenges and maintaining high-level performances.

Manchester City Tactics and Formation

Pep Guardiola is likely to stick with a versatile 4-3-3 formation, focusing on keeping the ball and pressing hard. This setup positions De Bruyne as a central figure, orchestrating play alongside Gundogan and Silva, who offer both creativity and stability.

Guardiola’s adaptability means he can switch formations depending on available players and team strengths. Haaland leads the attack, supported by Grealish and Savinho from the wings. Walker and Lewis play pivotal roles in advancing down the flanks and enhancing attacking runs.

City’s strategy focuses on quick turnover and capitalizing on opponent mistakes, challenging Palace to hold b defensively all through the game.

Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City Head-to-Head Statistics

Manchester City has historically held an advantage over Crystal Palace in their recent meetings. Out of the last five encounters, City has won three matches, with two ending in draws, emphasizing their b record against Palace. The most notable recent result was a 4-2 win for City, showcasing their scoring ability.

Crystal Palace last beat City back in October 2021, highlighting the tough task they face. Previous matchups saw a trend toward more goals, with City efficiently turning chances into goals, aligning with the expectation for an outcome featuring over 2.5 goals.

City’s past successes and attacking blueprint predict another dominant display in this face-off, reflected in the odds and tactical predictions.

Venue and Weather

Selhurst Park in London is the venue for this Premier League match, known for its passionate home crowd and lively atmosphere, offering a vivid backdrop for the game. Crystal Palace will look to use these home advantages in what’s been a trying season.

Weather on matchday is expected to be overcast. Temperatures are set to stay around a cool 6.86°C, creating ideal conditions for an action-packed match. With moderate winds predicted at 8.56 m/s, there might be minimal technical effects on the game, not greatly impacting the anticipated structured playstyles.

These favorable weather conditions allow strategies to unfold effectively, free from environmental distractions, promising a high-quality and intense game. As the scene is set for an exciting battle, fans and spectators should brace themselves for a Premier League clash that highlights the competitive spirit of both teams.