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BBC pundit Chris Sutton has predicted a 2-1 win for Manchester City in their upcoming game against Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace on Saturday, December 7. The reigning champions ended a run of seven games without a win by defeating Nottingham Forest in midweek, and will be keen to maintain their form in London.
After a stellar end to the 2023-24 season, Oliver Glasner and his Crystal Palace side have struggled terribly at the start of the ongoing campaign. With 12 points from their opening 14 games, the Eagles sit just three points above the drop zone in 17th place.
City have had an underwhelming start to the season as well, going by their usual standards, as they are in fourth place in the league after a poor run of form. They managed to claim a comprehensive 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest last time out, but Chris Sutton was not entirely convinced by their performance.
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The pundit predicted a 2-1 win for Pep Guardiola's side but expects them to struggle at Selhurst Park. In his column for the BBC, he singled out Jeremy Doku as a potential difference-maker for the champions. He wrote:
"Crystal Palace's win at Ipswich on Tuesday was huge for them, and it was comfortable enough in the end. Manchester City finally returned to winning ways against Nottingham Forest - and it was a result they fully deserved - but are they really back?"
"What happens at Selhurst Park should give us an idea, and this is not an easy game for them. Forest had chances at the Etihad Stadium when the score was 1-0 and I am still not convinced by City's defending. They were much better going forward with Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku in the team against Forest, though."
"Doku gave them the energy and ideas out wide that they have been missing and while he is not the finished article he is always a handful with his dynamism and the way he drives at teams. On his day, he can be devastating and it might be a moment of magic from him that makes the difference here, and breaks down a stubborn Palace side."
Crystal Palace picked up a narrow 1-0 win over Ipswich Town in their last game, indicating that they could be finding their rhythm once again. They will be eager to get a result against Manchester City to take them further away from the relegation zone.
Manchester City to be without several stars for Palace clash
Manchester City will be missing a number of key players when they take to the pitch against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday. The champions have won just one of their last eight games across all competitions, a worrying run that has seen them drop to fourth in the league.
The Cityzens have been plagued by injuries for much of the season so far, and their injury woes will continue at Palace. The quartet of Phil Foden, Nathan Ake, John Stones, and Mateo Kovacic have been ruled out of the game. This is in addition to long-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bobb.
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City claimed a win at Selhurst Park last season en route to claiming a fourth successive league title. The champions will be out to prove a point in the game following their recent struggles.
