Crystal Palace vs Manchester City (Premier League): Match Preview, Team News, Head to Head, How To Watch

Manchester City travel to South London this weekend hoping to build upon their return to winning ways in midweek with another win against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s side had been on a seven-game winless run across competitions prior to Wednesday night, when goals from Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jeremy Doku secured a 3-0 win and all three points at home to Nottingham Forest.

The return of the Belgian playmaker was almost certain to bring about a fresh and needed boost to Guardiola’s squad, and De Bruyne did not disappoint as he provided both a goal and an assist in his first start for City across any competition since mid-September.

The visit to Crystal Palace this weekend also precedes a huge week for Manchester City, as they travel to Turin to face Juventus on matchday six of the UEFA Champions League, and host Manchester United in the Premier League the weekend after.

As for this weekend’s opponents, Oliver Glasner’s squad are unbeaten in their last three Premier League matches having recorded draws away to Aston Villa and at home to Newcastle United, before securing a 0-1 away win over Ipswich Town in their last contest.

As Manchester City look to make it back-to-back wins for the first time in the Premier League since late October, here is everything you need to know ahead of this weekend’s encounter at Selhurst Park!

Match Details

Crystal Palace will welcome Manchester City to Selhurst Park on Saturday 7 December with kick-off scheduled for 15:00 (UK).

Match Officials

The Premier League have confirmed that 37-year-old Rob Jones will oversee proceedings between Crystal Palace and Manchester City from the role of match referee at Selhurst Park.

You can check out the full list of match officials appointed by the Premier League, HERE!

Team News

Crystal Palace have a number of players expected to be ruled out of action against Manchester City including Matheus Franca (Groin/Hip/Pelvic injury), Adam Wharton (Groin/Hip/Pelvic injury), and Rob Holding.

Daichi Kamada is due to return to availability for Oliver Glasner against Manchester City this weekend following suspension, whilst Chadi Riad Dnanou could be available following recovery from a knee injury.

As for Manchester City, there have been a number of developments in the defensive area of Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad, adding to the confirmed absences of both Rodri and Oscar Bobb until 2025.

Guardiola confirmed during his pre-match press conference that Phil Foden would remain sidelined through bronchitis, with no clear timeframe on a return. Nathan Ake joins him in being ruled out, while Manuel Akanji is subject to a late assessment.

There is no good news on John Stones or Mateo Kovacic either, with both men ruled out for Manchester City once again ahead of their visit to Selhurst Park.

Head To Head

Crystal Palace and Manchester City have met a total of 71 times across competitions throughout their long-standing histories, with the latter coming out on top in 38 of those contests.

There have been a total of 16 draws between Crystal Palace and Manchester City, whilst 17 of those 71 meetings across competitions have resulted in victories for the iconic South London club.

The last meeting between Crystal Palace and Manchester City also came at Selhurst Park in a dramatic 2-4 win for the eventual Premier League champions, courtesy of a brace from Kevin De Bruyne, as well as goals from Rico Lewis, and Erling Haaland in early April 2024.

Statistics

Crystal Palace have won just two of their last 18 Premier League games against Man City (D4 L12), with both of those victories coming at the Etihad Stadium (December 2018 and October 2021).

Manchester City have won seven of their last nine Premier League away games against Crystal Palace (D2), since a 2-1 defeat in April 2015.

Since Pep Guardiola joined Man City in 2016, Crystal Palace have scored multiple goals against the Citizens in six different Premier League games – only Tottenham (9) have done so more in this time.

Having won five of their seven Premier League home games under Oliver Glasner last season (D1 L1), Crystal Palace have won just one of their seven at Selhurst Park so far this season (D3 L3).

Manchester City have lost their last five away games in all competitions, last losing six in a row back in February 1994. The last reigning top-flight champions to lose six away games in a row were Man City themselves during the 1968-69 campaign.

How To Watch

Crystal Palace against Manchester City will not be broadcast live on TV for residents in the United Kingdom due to the traditional 3PM blackout. Instead, coverage of the game will be available on BBC Radio Manchester.

Those in the United States can watch every moment live of this weekend’s fixture on Peacock.

You can find full global TV listings for this weekend’s meeting between Crystal Palace and Manchester City HERE!

City Xtra will have full live coverage available on our X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram channels throughout matchday, with content also provided on cityxtra.co.uk and YouTube!