Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Prediction: Preview and Key Stats

Crystal Palace host Manchester City at Selhurst Park on 28 August 2026 in the second round of the Premier League season, with the two clubs starting the campaign on very different notes. Palace come into their first home game of 2026 after a 2-0 away defeat, while City opened with a 2-1 victory and will expect to build early momentum in the title race.

For Palace, currently 17th after one match, this is about stabilising quickly and proving they can be competitive against the division’s elite. They have yet to score this season and face a side that has regularly found a way to break them down in recent years. Manchester City, 7th with three points and a positive goal difference, know these are the fixtures they must control if they are to stay on track near the top of the Premier League table.

With a recent history of high-scoring encounters between Crystal Palace and Manchester City and the visitors entering as heavy favourites with the bookmakers, this matchup should attract plenty of interest from fans and bettors alike looking for a clear Premier League prediction angle.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Key Stats

• Crystal Palace sit 17th in the Premier League with 0 points, 0 goals scored and 2 conceded after 1 match.
• In their most recent meeting on 13 May 2026, Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 3-0 at Etihad Stadium in the Premier League.
• So far this Premier League season, Manchester City have scored 2 goals and conceded 1 across 1 match, averaging 2.0 goals for and 1.0 against per game.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City — Tale of the Tape

• Position: 17 vs 7
• Points: 0 vs 3
• Goals For: 0 vs 2
• Goals Against: 2 vs 1
• Clean Sheets: Crystal Palace 0; Manchester City 0 (tournament statistics so far)

After one round of fixtures, the early table underlines the contrast between the sides. Crystal Palace lost their opening game 2-0 away, leaving them with a negative goal difference and no goals scored. Their overall record reads 0 wins, 0 draws and 1 defeat from 1 match, with both goals conceded coming on their travels.

Manchester City, by contrast, opened with a 2-1 home win, giving them three points and a +1 goal difference. They have already shown their attacking edge, scoring twice late in the game, and defensively they have allowed just a single goal. While it is very early in the season, the standings and underlying numbers point to City being on a much stronger footing heading into this trip to Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Key Matchups

D. Kamada vs R. Cherki

With limited attacking stats available so early in the season, the midfield battle between Daichi Kamada for Crystal Palace and Rayan Cherki for Manchester City stands out. Kamada has already played 90 minutes for Palace in the league, contributing 72 passes with 2 key passes at an impressive 93% accuracy. He also showed his work rate and defensive contribution with 3 tackles and 1 interception, plus 2 fouls drawn, underlining his importance in linking play and helping Palace progress the ball under pressure.

Cherki, meanwhile, has been one of City’s early creative sparks. In just 27 minutes of action, he delivered 2 assists, making him the standout creator in the division so far. He completed 13 passes with 4 key passes and a 92% accuracy, and attempted 1 dribble. If he features heavily at Selhurst Park, his ability to find runners between the lines could be decisive against a Palace side that has already conceded twice and failed to score.

D. Kamada vs P. Foden

Another key duel will see Kamada tested defensively and in transition against Phil Foden. Foden has already logged 82 minutes for Manchester City, making 53 passes with 2 key passes at 79% accuracy. He has been heavily involved in duels (13 total, winning 7) and contributed 3 tackles, showing his all-round influence in City’s midfield or wide areas. He has also drawn 2 fouls and committed 2, picking up 1 yellow card in the process.

Kamada, who has also made 3 tackles and drawn 2 fouls with just 1 committed, will need to maintain his discipline and positional awareness against Foden’s movement. If Palace are to disrupt City’s rhythm, Kamada’s ability to close spaces and use the ball efficiently when they regain possession will be central to their game plan.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

The recent head-to-head record between Crystal Palace and Manchester City features several high-scoring contests and a mix of venues, including league and cup clashes. Palace have occasionally troubled City, but the champions have generally had the upper hand.

• 13 May 2026: Manchester City 3-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
• 14 December 2025: Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City (Premier League)
• 17 May 2025: Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester City (FA Cup)
• 12 April 2025: Manchester City 5-2 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
• 7 December 2024: Crystal Palace 2-2 Manchester City (Premier League)

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Prediction

Stats suggest Manchester City come into this fixture as clear favourites. The prediction model gives City a 50% chance of winning, with the draw also rated at 50% and Crystal Palace at 0%. That split is unusual but underlines just how little confidence there is in a home victory, even if there is significant respect for the possibility of a stalemate at Selhurst Park.

Recent form backs that view. City’s last-five form is rated at 100%, with strong defensive metrics (defence index 95) and 2 goals scored in their only match so far. Palace, by contrast, have a last-five form of 0%, with no goals scored and 2 conceded, and they have already failed to score once this season. The comparison model heavily favours City across attack (0 vs 100), defence (33 vs 67) and overall strength (30.0 vs 70.0).

Head-to-head trends also lean City’s way: they have scored three or more goals in several recent meetings and have taken convincing wins both home and away. Palace’s main hope lies in defensive organisation and Kamada’s influence in midfield, plus the backing of Selhurst Park. But given City’s superior squad depth, early attacking output and strong historical record, the visitors are expected to control possession and create the better chances.

Predicted Score: Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City

Crystal Palace Recent Form

Crystal Palace have started the 2026 Premier League season with a single defeat, leaving them on 0 points from 1 match. They lost 2-0 away, conceding once in each half and failing to score. Their overall league record stands at 0 wins, 0 draws and 1 loss, with 0 goals for and 2 against, and no clean sheets so far.

Manchester City Recent Form

Manchester City opened their league campaign with a 2-1 home victory, giving them 3 points from 1 match. They have scored 2 goals and conceded 1, with their attacking output concentrated late in the game. Their record is 1 win, 0 draws and 0 defeats, and they have yet to keep a clean sheet but have shown the ability to turn matches in their favour.

Crystal Palace Possible Starting Lineup

GK: D. Henderson or W. Benítez; Defenders: Óscar Mingueza, C. Richards, C. Riad, T. Tomiyasu, B. Sosa; Midfielders: D. Kamada, J. Lerma, C. Doucouré, W. Hughes, A. Wharton, Matheus França, Yeremy Pino; Forwards: E. Nketiah, J. Mateta, J. Strand Larsen, I. Sarr, E. Guessand, A. Khalaili.

Crystal Palace have typically lined up in a 3-4-2-1 shape this season, as indicated by their tactical record, which suggests a back three supported by wing-backs and two attacking midfielders behind a central striker. Kamada is likely to be a key figure in central midfield, tasked with both ball progression and defensive work. With several attacking options such as E. Nketiah, J. Mateta and I. Sarr, Palace can vary their approach, either going direct or looking to counter quickly into the channels. However, they must improve their efficiency in the final third after failing to score in their opener.

Manchester City Possible Starting Lineup

GK: G. Donnarumma; Defenders: Rúben Dias, J. Gvardiol, R. Aït-Nouri, R. Lewis; Midfielders: Rodri, T. Reijnders, M. Kovačić, P. Foden, R. Cherki, J. Grealish, Matheus Nunes; Forwards: E. Haaland, Sávio, J. Doku, Omar Marmoush.

Manchester City have used a 4-2-3-1 formation so far, with Rodri anchoring midfield and creative players like P. Foden and R. Cherki operating between the lines. Foden’s high involvement in passes and duels, combined with Cherki’s early assist numbers, suggests City will look to overload central areas and half-spaces. E. Haaland leads the line as the focal point, with wide players such as J. Doku or Sávio providing width and direct running. Even without explicit injury information, City’s depth allows them to rotate attacking options without significantly weakening their threat.

Crystal Palace Team News

No significant absences reported.

Manchester City Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

Crystal Palace:

• None reported.

Manchester City:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: Crystal Palace vs Manchester City

Here are three data-backed betting angles for this Premier League clash at Selhurst Park:

• Result Tip: Back Manchester City to win. The prediction model rates City as the only side with a realistic win probability (50 out of 100), with Crystal Palace given 0 out of 100 and the draw also at 50 out of 100. City have superior recent form and a dominant head-to-head record. Across the bookmakers, City’s odds range from 1.53 to 1.63, implying an approximate win probability between 61.3% (1 ÷ 1.63 × 100) and 65.4% (1 ÷ 1.53 × 100). That confirms them as clear favourites.
• Goals Tip: Under 3.5 total goals. Palace have yet to score this season and average 0.0 goals for and 2.0 against per game from 1 match, while City average 2.0 scored and 1.0 conceded. Although their historical meetings sometimes produce high scores, current-season data points to a more controlled City performance, especially away from home. Use the “Total Goals” market from your chosen bookmaker and look for an Under 3.5 line at a reasonable price.
• Value Tip: R. Cherki to record an assist (or a City player assist market). Cherki has 2 assists from just 27 minutes so far, with 4 key passes and 92% pass accuracy, underlining his creative impact. With Palace already showing vulnerability defensively and Kamada likely to be occupied in central areas, Cherki operating between the lines offers value in player-assist or “player to have an assist” markets. Check the assist or “player passes/creations” markets with your bookmaker for a price that reflects his current creative form.

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.