Manchester City head to South London to take on an out-of-sorts Crystal Palace in the Premier League lunchtime kick-off on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s men were back to their imperious best against Aston Villa in midweek, recording a resounding 4-1 victory, and they haven’t tasted defeat in the top-flight in four months. Yes, you heard that right, FOUR months!
With Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland given the night off, Jack Grealish and Julian Alvarez stepped in and helped deliver the goods.
Currently, third in the table, City are in touching distance of the top, and the run-in is familiar territory for them as they seek a fourth title in a row.
Palace, on the other hand, are eight points above the drop zone, but they would love to derail the City train, as they have won just one of their last five league matches.
Of course, City will have one eye on their upcoming trip to Real Madrid for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final showdown, but they have a job at hand.
Can they keep to their end of the bargain in the title race? I have waded through the betting markets and handpicked a couple of tips for your perusal.
Man City to make Capital gains
While they were largely ineffectual against Arsenal, City had the bit between the teeth against Villa and were ruthless in front of goal.
Palace, on the other hand, are going through a bit of a lean spell under Oliver Glasner, and since he steered them to a 3-0 win against Burnley in his first game of charge, they have mustered just two points from their following four games.
While the Eagles might not be overawed by City, given they produced a stirring comeback to rescue a 2-2 draw in the corresponding fixture at the Etihad back in December, it’s been a different story at Selhurst Park.
City have the upper hand in this fixture. They are unbeaten in their past eight league games away to Palace (W6, D2) since a 2-1 defeat in April 2015. Over that period, they have been watertight, conceding just two goals.
With Arsenal and Liverpool not going anywhere in a hurry, three points are a must for Guardiola’s charges.
I don’t expect City to flounder, and a clean sheet will be craved, especially if the title race comes down to goal difference.
For my first pick, I’m going with City and them to win to nil which is available at a very short 11/10 with Paddy Power.
Rodri to set City on their way
Against Villa, Phil Foden stole the show with a magnificent hat-trick, and it was the 40th by a City player in the Premier League. It is worth noting that 24 of those trebles have come under Guardiola.
Anyway, one player who has been providing some meaty contributions has been Rodri.
The mercurial Spanish midfielder has chipped in with seven goals in the Premier League, equalling his best return since the 2021/22 campaign.
Rodri is a man for the big occasion and he usually pops up with a timely goal.
I have a hunch Rodri could be on the scoresheet against Palace, and to provide value, I’ve gone with him to net the opener and set City on their way to victory.
Despite his improved output in front of goal, a rather long 11/1 price has been stumped up by bet365 for Rodri to break the deadlock.
Bet £10, Get £50 in Bonuses
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