Manchester City vs Crystal Palace: prediction, head-to-head stats and probable lineups — 13.05.2026
One of the rescheduled fixtures of Premier League Matchday 31 will take place on Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, where Manchester City host Crystal Palace. Here’s my preview and prediction for a clash where the home side’s title motivation looks decisive, but the head-to-head history means you can’t rule out the visitors just yet.
Match preview
Manchester City come into this game with a clear target: to once again close the gap on Arsenal and ramp up the pressure in the title race. After a frustrating 3-3 draw with Everton, Pep Guardiola’s side quickly regrouped and dispatched Brentford 3-0, showing that the slip-up hadn’t knocked them out of their stride.
There’s an important subplot for City: in just a few days they’ll be contesting the cup final against Chelsea, so Guardiola may be thinking about rotation and keeping his key players fresh. Khusanov, Gvardiol, and Rodri are all close to returning, but whether they’re ready for a full match remains uncertain - so once again, squad depth could be one of City’s hidden trump cards.
Crystal Palace are under little pressure in the league: they’re comfortably clear of the relegation zone, and their hopes of a European place via the Premier League are all but gone. After beating Shakhtar 2-1 in the Conference League semi-final, Oliver Glasner’s team drew 2-2 with Everton, extending their winless streak in the league to three matches.
For Palace, the upcoming European final in Leipzig is the real priority, so this trip to Manchester may be a test of how they balance pragmatism with the desire to claim a big result. The return of Hessan, Sosa, and Doucouré to training gives the coaching staff more options, but Palace’s away form has dipped sharply: since the end of December, they’ve managed just two away wins in the Premier League.
Probable lineups
- Manchester City: Donnarumma, Guehi, Khusanov, O’Riley, Luiz, Silva, Gonzalez, Doku, Cherki, Semenyo, Haaland.
- Crystal Palace: Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Riad, Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell, Pino, Sarr, Mateta.
Match facts and head-to-head
- In the first meeting this season, Manchester City defeated Crystal Palace 3-0.
- Both teams have scored in five of the last seven meetings between these sides in Manchester.
- At least four goals were scored in ten of the last eleven head-to-head games between City and Palace.
City have netted 41 goals in 17 home games - the best record in the league. They are the only team to surpass 40 xG (40.56) at home.
City have scored 2+ goals in each of their last 11 matches at the Etihad.
- At least four goals have been scored in nine of the last ten Premier League meetings between these sides at the Etihad.
- Crystal Palace have taken no more than two corners in seven of their last eight Premier League visits to Manchester City.
Prediction
Manchester City are objectively stronger, in great form, and have far more at stake. Crystal Palace can cause problems with bold transitions and a decent record at the Etihad, but their focus is clearly shifting to the European final. I expect Palace won’t be totally passive, but City’s class, pressure, and sheer need for a win should see the hosts get the job done.
