Manchester City’s pursuit of Champions League qualification continues this weekend when they host Crystal Palace.
Pep Guardiola and his players have had a week to prepare for this afternoon’s match following their goalless draw with local rivals Manchester United last Sunday.
The Spaniard is still without the services of five key individuals. Defensive trio Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and John Stones remain out alongside Erling Haaland and Rodri.
However, the City manager is choosing not to dwell on their injury troubles this season as they push for Europe.
Back at home in the @premierleague this weekend 🏡
🤝 #AsahiSuperDrypic.twitter.com/vNeB1plQa3
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 8, 2025
Palace are looking to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches by avoiding defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
However, the Eagles will have to cope without club captain Marc Guehi and striker Eddie Nketiah through suspension. The English pair were both sent off in their heated 2-1 victory over rivals Brighton last time out.
However, the blow of Guehi’s absence has been softened by the availability of Chris Richards and Maxence Lacroix. Richards has been missing recently due to a calf issue while Lacroix has followed the required protocols after suffering a concussion last Saturday.
Manchester City vs Crystal Palace – Match preview and team news
Form
Manchester City: LDWWD
As it stands, Manchester City will not qualify for Champions League football next season.
They currently reside in sixth position and are a single point behind both Newcastle United and Chelsea.
City played out a lacklustre draw with Manchester United last weekend, a game that attracted plenty of criticism for its pedestrian pace.
With only seven games to play, Pep Guardiola will be insistent on ensuring the standards return to the level fans have become accustomed to under his regime. A failure to secure Champions League qualification would be considered a huge blow, with the Citizens having competed in the competition for 14 straight seasons.
Crystal Palace: WWWDW
Palace claimed the bragging rights over rivals Brighton last weekend in a chaotic 2-1 win in South London.
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his 16th goal of the season before full-back Daniel Munoz grabbed the winner at Selhurst Park.
Unlike the Manchester derby that followed, this heated match was filled with dramatic flashpoints. Palace ended the game with just nine men, while Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke also saw red.
It was the Eagles’ fourth successive home victory and took them within two points of the top half of the Premier League table.
Since the turn of the year, Oliver Glasner’s side have been well-drilled and hard to beat. In fact, they have only been defeated in two of their 15 matches in 2025.
