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The last time Palace defeated City at the Etihad Stadium was in October 2021, with a 2-0 victory.
The Premier League clash between Manchester City and Crystal Palace is set to be an intriguing match on 16th December 2023 at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. Kick-off is scheduled for 4 pm WAT.
Manchester City's Current Form and Key Players
Manchester City, the seven-time Premier League champions, currently sit in fourth place after 16 games, trailing the league leaders by four points. They have demonstrated strong form, especially at home, with a streak of 18 home games without defeat and winning eight of their last ten matches at the Etihad.
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20:37 - 13.12.2023
UCL: Peter Olayinka's Red Star handed respectable defeat by Hamilton-led Man City kiddies
No fewer than five Manchester City Academy graduates were in action in a thrilling UCL encounter against Crvena Zvezda in the UCL.
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17:18 - 10.12.2023
Man City survive Adebayo shocker to return to winning ways against Luton
Jack Grealish scored the winner as Manchester City ended their run of four games without a win.
A notable player for City is Bernardo Silva, who has scored three goals in his previous six Premier League matches. However, they might miss the services of their top scorer, Erling Haaland, doubtful due to a stress fracture to the foot, and Kevin De Bruyne, out since the opening game against Burnley but expected to return around the new year.
Crystal Palace's Current Form and Key Players
Crystal Palace, managed by Roy Hodgson, are 15th in the table, seven points above the relegation zone. Their recent form has been less impressive, with four wins, two draws, and four losses in their last ten away games across all tournaments.
Odsonne Edouard has two goals in his previous six games and is a crucial player for Palace. However, they will be missing Jordan Ayew due to suspension and several players due to injuries, including Eberechi Eze and Tyrick Mitchell.
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Head-to-Head Record
Historically, Manchester City has had the upper hand in this fixture, with 16 wins compared to Crystal Palace's 4 in their 26 encounters. The last time Palace defeated City at the Etihad Stadium was in October 2021, with a 2-0 victory.
Playing Styles and Tactics
Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, is known for their attacking style, possession-based football, and high pressing. Key players like Rodri, playing as a deep-lying playmaker, are crucial for creating attacking chances and defending.
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15:19 - 09.12.2023
Arteta reveals how they beat Man City, Bayern to Declan Rice
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reveals that Declan Rice pushed for a move for the club amid interest from other top clubs.
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11:22 - 09.12.2023
Ex-Man City star accuses female staff of 'sending naked photos, having full blown affairs’ with players at his previous clubs
Joey Barton has claimed that women should 'not have any authority' in the men’s game, adding that female staff 'sent naked photos and had full blown affairs’ with his teammates.
On the other hand, Crystal Palace tends to play a more conservative style, focusing on quick counters and solid defense, with players like Jefferson Lerma playing a pivotal role in the midfield.
Betting Tips and Predictions
Given Manchester City's strong home record and Crystal Palace's struggles, particularly with critical injuries, City are the favorites to win.
The prediction is further supported by City scoring in their last ten home games, with over 2.5 goals seen in eight of their last ten matches across all tournaments. Palace, however, managed to score an average of 0.9 goals in their recent matches, suggesting a potential for both teams to score.
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Conclusion and How to Watch
Considering their home record and Crystal Palace's recent form, Manchester City is favored to win. The match time is 4 pm WAT, and for Nigerian viewers, it's best to check local sports channels, like SuperSports, for live coverage closer to the match.
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