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Crystal Palace vs Manchester City news: League leaders can overcome bogey team in London

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace

Manchester City travel to Selhurst Park on Monday evening looking to extend their lead at the top of the league, but the Eagles boast an impressive record against them in recent years.

With Liverpool breathing down their neck in the Premier League, Manchester City know there's no room for error when they face Crystal Palace on Monday night.

Currently leading by three points, the title is City's to lose, but their battles with the Eagles haven't always gone to plan.

Palace have taken seven points off the Citizens in their last seven meetings, and Patrick Vieira's side are in good form too, having lost only one of their last eight games across all competitions.

They now sit 11th and are looking to complete a first league double over City since the 1987/88 season after beating them 2-0 at the Etihad back in October.

When: Monday, March 14, 20:00 GMT

Where: Selhurst Park, London

Where to watch: Sky Sports

Or follow updates via our live match centre

Who is the ref for Crystal Palace vs Man City?

Martin Atkinson, Premier League referee

Martin Atkinson will take charge of Monday night's clash in what will be his 19th appearance of the season.

So far, the 50-year-old official has handed out 39 yellow cards, two reds and a league-leading seven penalties.
City will be glad to see Atkinson with the whistle - he's officiated three City games so far this season and they've won all three, first beating Arsenal 5-0, then Burnley 2-0, and Newcastle United 4-0.
Palace have only had Atkinson in charge of one of their league fixtures so far - their 0-0 draw with Brentford in the second game of the season.

Season stats (2021/22): All games (18), yellow cards (39), red cards (2), penalties (7)

Recent form

Both teams head into the clash with only one league loss in their last five games.
Manchester City's loss came against Tottenham, with Harry Kane's late winner ensuring Spurs took all the points.

Pep Guardiola's side then looked to bounce back against Everton, but can consider themselves very lucky after avoiding a draw.

Phil Foden scored with eight minutes left on the clock, but Everton were controversially denied a late penalty when the ball struck Rodri's hand.
No spot kick was given and City escaped Merseyside with a 1-0 win, and they followed it up with a far more dominant display in their 4-1 triumph over fierce rivals Manchester United.
As for Palace, a 2-0 win over Wolves last time out deserves more credit than most think, with the Birmingham-based side battling for European qualification this year.
Prior to that, a 4-1 drubbing of Watford was followed up with a 1-1 stalemate against Burnley. It was the club's 12th draw this season, a league-topping tally.

If Palace can figure out how to turn some of their draws into wins, then they too could find themselves battling for European spots.

Players in form

Crystal Palace

City will be hoping Riyad Mahrez can continue his strong form in front of goal. The Algerian winger has scored 10 Premier League goals this season in 21 appearances, despite 10 of those coming as a substitute.

After bagging a second half brace against Manchester United last weekend, Mahrez has scored four in his last four games and will be brimming with confidence for Monday's clash.
Joao Cancelo is another who has performed brilliantly for the defending champions this season. The Portuguese left-back has been crucial to City's stalwart back line, and has notched a goal and five assists going forward.

Crystal Palace will be looking for the attacking duo of Wilfried Zaha and Conor Gallagher to do the damage on Monday night.

Zaha leads the scoring charts for the Eagles this season with nine, and he's bagged three in his last three league games.
What's more, the 29-year-old also scored in this season's reverse fixture against Manchester City.
As for Conor Gallagher, the 22-year-old leads the way in terms of goal contributions for Palace this season. He's bagged eight goals himself and registered a further five assists.
Gallagher managed a goal and assist against City back in October, in what was one of his best performances to date.

Managers' thoughts

Pep Guardiola

Ahead of the tie, Pep Guardiola said, "Selhurst Park is always a difficult place to go. It is a final for us and we know it.

"Hopefully we can prepare well to arrive on Monday in good shape to face the opponent.
"The team we faced was really good and seeing the run Crystal Palace are having right now - just one loss in the last eight games in all competitions, the physicality they have, the organisation, the quality up front, especially with (Wilfried) Zaha and when they defend deep it's so difficult to break down, good counter-attack - they are always difficult for us."

Patrick Vieira showed a lot of respect to Monday's opponents, urging his side to be "brave".

"When you play a team like City you need to be nine or ten out of ten. And you need to have moments that go in your favour. But you also have to force chances yourself and be brave enough to create situations going forward. We have to defend well as a team and we can't afford to make mistakes because of the quality of players they have. The luck is part of the situation."

Predicted Crystal Palace vs Man City teams

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace
Manchester City's problems at centre-back are likely to continue, with Nathan Ake a doubt and Ruben Dias ruled out entirely.
Joao Cancelo was ill for City's midweek clash with Sporting Lisbon but is likely to return to the fold for Monday.
Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur is ruled out through injury, while defender Nathan Ferguson is also likely to be sidelined for Monday.

Joel Ward is set to return to the squad, but the 32-year-old will likely be limited to a spot on the bench.

Crystal Palace: Guaita, Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Schlupp, Kouyate, Olise, Gallagher, Zaha, Mateta

Man City: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Cancelo, Rodri, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Grealish, Foden, Mahrez

Crystal Palace vs Man City prediction

While City have recently struggled against the Eagles, the league leaders will be eager to put things right after their loss earlier in the season.
Plus, with only 10 games remaining in the season, City know there's no room for error and we're predicting another ruthless display from Pep Guardiola's side. A convincing 3-0 win for City is our prediction.

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