Manchester City left it late last weekend, and they know they will have to improve if they are to challenge Arsenal for the title, starting on Friday when they travel to the capital to face Crystal Palace (kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports).
Two goals in the last six minutes from defenders Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol secured a 2-1 home win over Bournemouth, who took an early lead through Marcus Tavernier.
Palace go into the game looking for their first points after being beaten 2-0 by Everton, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry scoring either side of half-time on Merseyside.
The departure of manager Oliver Glasner, as well as some key players, have left many questioning the direction of Palace and betting sites have them among the favourites for relegation at odds of 9/2.
Friday’s game, at home, will give them a better idea of how they compare, but they are without a win in nine Premier League fixtures against City since a 2-0 win at the Etihad back in 2021.
They did win the all-important FA Cup final meeting though back in 2025 to lift the trophy for the first time, when Eberechi Eze scored the only goal of the game.
Palace vs City betting tips: City to keep up their exceptional Palace formManchester City go into the game as the standout favourites, with football bookmakers offering just 11/17 on them to secure the three points.
It’s hardly a surprise when you look at the history, and Enzo Maresca’s side are unbeaten in their last 11 visits to Selhurst Park, winning eight and drawing three matches, since a 2-1 defeat back in April 2015.
That win for Palace was one of just two at home against the Citizens in their last 22, and they have drawn just five and lost 15.
They are 22/5 for the win, while you can get 16/5 for a draw, but it’s hard to see past a City win if they have learnt from their opening performance against the Cherries.
With the future of Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is trying to prove his current contract is invalid, looking increasingly uncertain, it’s hard to see where goals are going to come from in their side.
They spent £48m on Jorgen Strand Larsen in the last transfer window, but he has managed just four goals so far.
Crystal Palace vs Man City prediction 1: City to win to nil - 2/1 Bet365
Palace vs Man City tips: Haaland to open his campaignWe’ve seen a new look Erling Haaland for the new season, but City fans will be hoping that everything else about him is familiar.
The Norwegian international has scored over 20 league goals in the last six consecutive seasons for City and Borussia Dortmund.
He finished the last campaign with 58 goals in 64 appearances for his club and country, including seven goals in his first-ever World Cup.
The 26-year-old is the favourite in the Premier League top scorer odds to finish with the golden boot again and betting apps expect him to get off the mark on Friday - the best odds you can get on him to score at any time against Palace are just 10/11.
He has already scored eight goals against the Eagles, including a brace in last season’s 3-0 win at Selhurst Park and a hat-trick back in 2022 when City ran out 4-2 winners at home.
Crystal Palace vs Man City prediction 2: Haaland to score two or more - 5/1 Ladbrokes
Crystal Palace vs Man City team newsThe home side will be without Liverpool target Ismaila Sarr and Chadi Riad, who are both out injured, so Axel Disasi could make his debut after signing on loan from Chelsea.
Man City’s Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes are both missing as they continue to recover from injury, while Elliot Anderson is fit to play after coming off against Bournemouth with cramp. New signing Ayyoub Bouaddi could make his debut after signing from Lille.
Crystal Palace vs Man City predicted lineups:Palace: Henderson; Canvot, Richards, Tomiyasu; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; McNeil, Nketiah; Mateta
Man City: Donnarumma; Lewis, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Guehi; Foden, O'Reilly, Semenyo; Haaland
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