Crystal Palace vs Man City Prediction: Score, Team News & Lineups

Manchester City will be looking to make it two Premier League wins from two when they travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Friday night.

Crystal Palace have home advantage, but Pierre Sage’s side head into the fixture looking for a response after losing 2-0 to Everton on the opening weekend. Manchester City, meanwhile, had to work hard for their first three points of the season, coming from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

That makes this an intriguing early-season test for both teams. Palace need to turn possession into chances and give their forwards more support, while Enzo Maresca will want to see City control the match for longer periods instead of relying on a late comeback.

So, who will win Crystal Palace vs Manchester City? Here is our match prediction, score prediction, team news, predicted lineups and key factors ahead of kick-off.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City prediction

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester City

Manchester City are our pick to win, but this could be considerably closer than the difference in squad quality suggests.

City showed character to recover from a goal down against Bournemouth, and their attacking options give them enough quality to create problems for Palace. Rayan Cherki made an immediate impact from the bench in that opening match, while Erling Haaland remains the obvious focal point in the final third.

Palace should be more competitive at Selhurst Park than they were away to Everton. Their ability to attack quickly through the wide areas could cause City problems, particularly if the visitors commit too many players forward.

However, City’s greater depth and individual quality should eventually make the difference. Palace can score, but City have enough attacking threat to edge the contest.

Crystal Palace vs Man City score prediction

Correct score prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester City

A 1-2 Manchester City victory is our preferred correct score prediction.

Palace should have opportunities, particularly if they can force City into defending transitions. The bigger question is whether the hosts can keep City away from their penalty area for 90 minutes.

With Haaland leading the line and City possessing several players capable of creating chances from central and wide positions, the visitors should have enough to score twice.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City match preview

There is already an interesting storyline surrounding this fixture because both clubs experienced very different opening weekends.

Crystal Palace lost 2-0 at Everton despite having spells where they controlled possession. The Eagles were punished by Everton’s ability to turn promising situations into dangerous attacks, leaving Sage with plenty to address before City’s visit.

Manchester City also had defensive concerns in their opener, but they responded impressively after falling behind against Bournemouth. Marc Guehi equalised in the closing stages before Josko Gvardiol completed the comeback with a late winner.

The result gave Maresca an important first league victory, although City’s performance suggested there is still work to do as the new manager continues to shape the team.

Crystal Palace form

Palace’s opening-day defeat means they are still searching for their first Premier League points of the new campaign.

The 2-0 loss at Everton was not a complete collapse. Palace had possession and moments of pressure, but their attacking play lacked the cutting edge required to turn control into goals.

That becomes particularly important against Manchester City. Palace are unlikely to receive many clear opportunities, so their forwards will need to make the most of whatever chances come their way.

Playing at Selhurst Park should help. Palace have traditionally been capable of making life uncomfortable for top sides in south London, especially when the crowd gets behind them.

Manchester City form

City arrive in London with three points already on the board after their 2-1 win over Bournemouth.

The visitors were forced to chase the game after conceding first, but their pressure eventually told. Guehi restored parity before Gvardiol completed the turnaround in the final minute of normal time.

The victory was valuable for Maresca, particularly after City had also suffered a heavy defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield.

City will nevertheless want a more controlled performance at Selhurst Park. Palace are likely to look for opportunities on the counter, so City’s defensive structure will be tested when possession is lost.

Crystal Palace vs Man City head to head

Manchester City have generally enjoyed the better record in this fixture, although Palace have shown on several occasions that they can frustrate the champions when the game suits them.

The most recent Premier League meeting ended with City winning 3-0 in May 2026. Antoine Semenyo, Omar Marmoush and Savinho were on the scoresheet in that encounter.

The historical advantage therefore belongs to City, but past meetings should not be treated as a guarantee of what will happen at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City team news

Crystal Palace are expected to be without Chadi Riad after the defender suffered a knee problem during the opening-day defeat at Everton.

Ismaila Sarr is also a major question mark for Palace ahead of the match. His absence would remove an important attacking outlet from Sage’s options.

Manchester City are still without Jeremy Doku because of a calf problem. Matheus Nunes is also a doubt after picking up a knock.

Elliot Anderson is expected to be available after leaving the Bournemouth match with what was reported as cramp rather than an injury.

Rayan Cherki is another player to watch after making a significant impact against Bournemouth, producing two assists after coming off the bench.

Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs Man City

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Dean Henderson; Takehiro Tomiyasu, Chris Richards, Jaydee Canvot; Daniel Munoz, Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, Tyrick Mitchell; Dwight McNeil, Yéremy Pino; Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Manchester City predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Gianluigi Donnarumma; Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Marc Guehi; Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo; Erling Haaland.

These are predicted lineups and remain subject to late team news and final selection decisions.

Key battle: Palace’s defence vs Erling Haaland

One of the biggest questions at Selhurst Park will be how Palace handle Haaland.

The Norwegian striker did not score against Bournemouth, but his presence changes the way opponents defend Manchester City. Palace cannot afford to give him space inside the penalty area, while focusing too heavily on Haaland could leave room for City’s other attacking players.

That balance will be difficult for the hosts to maintain for the full match.

Key battle: Palace counter-attacks vs City’s defensive shape

Palace’s best route into the game could come when City lose possession.

Maresca’s side are expected to dominate possession for long periods, which means Palace will have to defend patiently before attacking quickly when opportunities appear.

If Palace can get their forwards running at City’s defence, they could create a much more open contest. If City prevent those transitions, the visitors should have enough control to take the game away from the hosts.

Who is most likely to score?

Erling Haaland is the standout Manchester City goalscoring threat.

His record against Crystal Palace gives City supporters another reason for optimism, while the striker remains central to the team’s attacking approach.

For Palace, Jean-Philippe Mateta is the obvious player to watch if he starts. His ability to hold up the ball and attack crosses could be important if Palace spend long periods without possession.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City prediction and betting tips

Manchester City to win is our main match prediction.

City have the stronger squad and arrive with confidence after their opening-day comeback. Palace should improve in front of their home supporters, but the visitors have more attacking options capable of changing the game.

Our match predictions:

• Manchester City to win
• Correct score: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester City
• Manchester City to score at least twice
• Erling Haaland to be one of the main goalscoring threats

These predictions are based on current team information, recent performances and the tactical matchup. Football remains unpredictable, particularly this early in the season.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City: What time is kick-off?

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City is scheduled for Friday, August 28, 2026, at Selhurst Park.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:00pm GMT, which is 8:00pm local UK time.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City prediction: Final verdict

Crystal Palace have enough about them to make this a difficult night for Manchester City, especially with the advantage of playing at Selhurst Park.

But City enter the fixture with more attacking quality, greater depth and the confidence that comes from recovering from a losing position in their opening league game.

Palace should create moments and could find the net, but City are the more convincing winner on paper.

Final prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester City.

FAQs about Crystal Palace vs Manchester City

Who will win Crystal Palace vs Manchester City?

Manchester City are our pick to beat Crystal Palace. City have greater attacking depth and should create enough chances to secure three points at Selhurst Park.

What is the Crystal Palace vs Man City score prediction?

Our Crystal Palace vs Man City score prediction is 1-2 to Manchester City.

What is the Crystal Palace vs Manchester City prediction?

Our main prediction is a Manchester City victory. Palace should be competitive at home, but City have enough quality to edge the match.

Who is likely to score for Manchester City?

Erling Haaland is the main Manchester City goalscoring threat. The striker remains the focal point of City’s attack and has an excellent record against Crystal Palace.

Where is Crystal Palace vs Manchester City being played?

The match is being played at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace’s home stadium in south London.

When is Crystal Palace vs Manchester City?

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City is scheduled for Friday, August 28, 2026, as part of Matchweek 2 of the Premier League season.