Manchester City vs Crystal Palace preview: Eagles looking for first win in five

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

(Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

Palace’s attack: It’s difficult to determine who Palace manager Alan Pardew is going to pick to lead the line, as there has been a great deal of chopping and changing with very little end product. Palace have drawn a blank in their last 4 Premier League games and need to find their shooting boots if they are to maintain a charge for European football next season.

Best stat…

47.8%: This statistic is the percentage of goals that Crystal Palace have scored this season that were from set-piece situations.

Remember when…

Palace recorded a 2-1 win over City in the 2001/02 Division One season, courtesy of goals from Jovan Kirovski and club legend Dougie Freedman. Remarkably, City went on to win the league that season by a comfortable 10 point margin – as they finished on 99 points.

Player to watch…

Kevin De Bruyne: With 5 goals and 8 assists in 17 league appearances this season, De Bruyne has been a consistent threat in City’s forward play. Showing an eye for goal with flair and creativity in abundance, the Belgium international’s €75m price tag has rarely come into question this season which is a testament to his contribution so far.

Past three meetings…

Manchester City 5 (Bony, De Bruyne, Iheanacho, Toure, Garcia) Crystal Palace 1 (Delaney), Capital One Cup, October 2015

Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 1 (Iheanacho), Premier League, September 2015

Crystal Palace 2 (Murray, Puncheon) Manchester City 1 (Toure), Premier League, April 2015

Form guide…

Manchester City: WLWDWD

Crystal Palace: WWDDLL

Vital information…

Not on Live TV, highlights shown on MOTD, BBC1, 10:25PM