Manchester City vs Crystal Palace

Etihad Stadium forms the backdrop for Manchester City’s daunting Premier League home fixture against visiting Crystal Palace.

After winning their opening two Premier League fixtures against West Ham United and Bournemouth by an aggregate score of 6-0, the reigning English champions came from a 3-1 deficit to hold Newcastle United to an enthralling 3-3 draw last weekend. On paper, this should be a walk in the park for Manchester City, but the reality speaks otherwise. In addition to being held goalless in both 2021/22 Premier League H2Hs (D1, L1), the ‘Cityzens’ have only picked up one win in their last four top-flight H2Hs on home soil (D1, L2). However, Man City’s free-scoring league form suggests Palace’s backline stands no chance here, with Pep Guardiola’s men netting 2+ goals in their last 12 Premier League outings, totalling 40 goals in that period. They are four games away from equalling the longest such streak in the competition’s history.

With Man City chasing history, Crystal Palace’s hopes of building on a two-game winning run in all competitions look rather slim. After a 3-1 home win over Aston Villa to end a two-match winless league start (D1, L1), Patrick Vieira’s side came out 2-0 victors in a midweek EFL Cup tie against lower-league Oxford United. But the ‘Eagles’ have already demonstrated they can cope with the Premier League big guns this term, having eked out a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on matchday two. Despite going winless in three of their last four Premier League away matches (W1, D2), Palace’s problems with inconsistent performances on the road could come back to haunt them. The Londoners managed a mere four Premier League victories outside Selhurst Park in 2021/22. Yet, they deserve the benefit of the doubt after finding the net in seven of their last eight top-flight travels.