Manchester City vs Crystal Palace predictions and betting tips – Must-win game for hosts

Manchester City are now outsiders in the Premier League title race, but they must keep fighting until the end. With that in mind, it is essential that Pep Guardiola’s team triumph over Crystal Palace in their game in hand.

The Eagles have a decent record at the Etihad Stadium. Can they do Arsenal a favour by taking points off their title rivals?

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace head to head overview

• Date: Wednesday 13th May.
• Kick-off: 8pm.
• Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England.
• Where to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
• Referee: Stuart Attwell.
• VAR: Yes.
• Last meeting: 14th December 2025; Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City.
• Last 10 matches: Manchester City – 5 wins; Crystal Palace – 2 wins; Draws – 3.
• Favourite to win: Manchester City.

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace predicted lineups

• Manchester City expected lineup: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Silva, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.
• Crystal Palace expected lineup: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Riad; Munoz, Lerma, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Johnson.

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace predictions

It was one of the most dramatic moments of this Premier League season.

Deep into second-half stoppage time at the London Stadium on Sunday, Callum Wilson’s strike crossed the line and appeared to give West Ham United a last-gasp equaliser against Arsenal.

Instead, their hearts were broken – as were those of Manchester City fans watching on – when the referee ruled the ‘goal’ out after a video review.

It was the right decision, but that did not make it any easier to take for followers of either West Ham or Manchester City.

Arsenal’s 1-0 triumph in that London derby means City are five points adrift of the summit of the standings with a fortnight of the campaign remaining.

Pep Guardiola’s team have a game in hand, which comes when Crystal Palace visit the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. 

This is simply a must-win match for City. A failure to emerge triumphant in midweek would give Arsenal the chance to seal the deal at home to Burnley on Monday.

Guardiola’s men did the business over the weekend, beating Brentford 3-0 despite a slightly tense first half.

In the end City proved too strong for the Bees, and the City boss will hope that also proves to be the case when Palace come to town.

With survival now mathematically certain, the Eagles can start to look ahead to the Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano on May 27.

Their season will be defined by that European showpiece rather than any of their three remaining Premier League fixtures. Yet with Palace still due to play City and Arsenal, they could be the kingmakers in the title race.

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace betting tips

Manchester City resume their Premier League title tilt at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

Will City deliver?

Arsenal host relegated Burnley on Monday and then travel to Crystal Palace, who will have their eyes set on the Conference League final, on the last day.

They are exactly the type of games you would handpick for the run-in, but Manchester City must continue applying pressure to Arsenal for as long as the title is up for grabs.

Goal difference could yet be a factor too, so Guardiola’s men are incentivised to not only win, but to win by as wide a margin as possible.

No team has outperformed City in the first half of games this term, while Palace often take a while to get going. 

We expect the hosts to be ahead at the interval and then to collect all three points.

⚽ Back Manchester City/Manchester City in the half-time/full-time market at 4/6 with Betway ⚽

Another City shut-out?

For all the talk of Manchester City’s front four of Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland, their defence has been just as important as their attack in recent weeks.

Over the last 10 games, City have kept five clean sheets and conceded eight goals, the same amount as Arsenal in that time.

In all competitions, they have successfully shut out their opponents in five of their last eight assignments.

Crystal Palace drew a blank in their last away game against Bournemouth and they may do so here as well.

⚽ Tip Manchester City to keep a clean sheet at 20/27 with Casimba ⚽

Doku the form man

Jeremy Doku has really stepped up for Manchester City over the last couple of games.

He notched a brace against Everton last week, including a dramatic late equaliser that could yet prove pivotal in the title race. 

Doku was also key in the victory over Brentford, opening the scoring and causing the opposition defence problems throughout.

Doku’s end product is better than he is often given credit for, and it would not be a surprise to see him find the back of the net against Crystal Palace.

⚽ Go for Jeremy Doku to score any time at 15/7 with 247Bet ⚽

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace latest odds

Find the latest Manchester City vs Crystal Palace betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

More Premier League predictions

We have plenty more Premier League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

Important historical facts about Manchester City and Crystal Palace for betting

Manchester City have only won half of their last six games against Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium.

Ismaila Sarr is the first Crystal Palace player to score 20 goals in all competitions since Glenn Murray struck 31 times in 2012/13.

Manchester City have kept five clean sheets in their last eight matches.

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