Last updated on April 11, 2025
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Manchester City is desperate to return to winning ways.
Image credit: Manchester City
Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Kickoff: 12:30 PM UK
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Gameweek: 32
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Manchester City will be desperate to return to winning ways when they host an in-form Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
With Champions League qualification still hanging in the balance, every point counts for Pep Guardiola’s side in the final stretch of the season.
Palace, however, arrive in Manchester full of confidence after an impressive run of form and will fancy their chances of causing another upset.
Recent Form & Context
Manchester City:
- Current League Position: 6th
- Last Game: 0-0 draw vs Manchester United
- Form (All Competitions): WLDWWD
- Premier League Form: LWLDWD
Following a goalless Manchester Derby last weekend, City remain outside the Premier League top five.
With only one point separating them from both Chelsea (4th) and Newcastle (5th), and with the latter holding a game in hand, City’s margin for error is razor thin.
Despite knowing that fifth place guarantees Champions League football next season, Guardiola’s men need consistency—and fast.
Encouragingly, four of their next five league fixtures are against teams currently in the bottom half, starting with Palace.
Crystal Palace:
- Current League Position: 11th
- Last Game: 2-1 win vs Brighton
- Form (All Competitions): WWWWDW
- Premier League Form: LWWWDW
The Eagles are flying high. Since December, Oliver Glasner’s side have lost just two of their last 17 games across all competitions.
They’ve also racked up 22 points from their last 10 league games—second only to Liverpool in that span.
Palace are unbeaten in 10 consecutive away league games and have won six of their last eight on the road.
Influential in March.
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 10, 2025
Ebere Eze is your @net88eng Player of the Month 🌟#CPFC pic.twitter.com/9DCHHmsWXG
With a real shot at a top-half finish—and an outside chance of European qualification—the visitors are not here just to defend.
Head-to-Head
- Last Meeting: 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park in December
- Last 12 EPL Meetings: City W7 D4 L1
- Last 6 Home Meetings (Etihad): City W2 D2 L2
- Palace Goals in Last 11 EPL Visits to Etihad: Either 0 or 2
While City have dominated recent encounters overall, Palace have been stubborn at the Etihad. The last time the Eagles won there? A 2-0 upset in October 2021.
Team News
Manchester City:
- Out:
- Rodri (ACL)
- Nathan Ake (foot)
- John Stones (thigh)
- Erling Haaland (ankle)
- Manuel Akanji (abductor)
- Doubtful:
- Akanji (nearing return)
- Kevin De Bruyne (may start and captain the side)
- Possible Changes:
- Rico Lewis and Abdukodir Khusanov could return in defense
- Savinho, Doku, and Grealish in contention for wide roles
- Nico Gonzalez may replace Kovacic or Gundogan in midfield
- Omar Marmoush set to continue up front
Predicted Lineup (Man City):
Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gundogan, Gonzalez; Savinho, De Bruyne, Doku; Marmoush
Crystal Palace:
- Out:
- Chadi Riad (knee)
- Cheick Doucoure (knee)
- Marc Guehi (suspension)
- Eddie Nketiah (suspension)
- Doubtful:
- Maxence Lacroix (concussion)
- Chris Richards (calf)
- Possible Changes:
- Lerma, Ward, or Clyne could start in a back three
- Adam Wharton expected to start in midfield
- Eze and Sarr will likely support Mateta in attack
Predicted Lineup (Palace):
Henderson; Lerma, Lacroix, Richards; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta
What to Expect
Crystal Palace will arrive at the Etihad fearless and full of momentum. With recent wins over Brighton, and strong away form, they will pose a significant challenge to City.
Yet, despite missing key players, Man City still have the firepower and depth to edge this encounter—especially if their attacking trio finds rhythm.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Crystal Palace
This could be a tightly contested affair. Expect Palace to test City’s backline, especially on the break.
