@ZAPunter provides his betting tips for the English Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City which takes place on Saturday 19^th October

CRYSTAL PALACE VS MANCHESTER CITY, SATURDAY @ 18.30

Manchester City travel to South London to face Crystal Palace on Saturday determined to get back to winning ways. The Citizens suffered a shock defeat against Wolves at home before the international break, while Crystal Palace won their last 2 matches. Manchester City are currently 8 points behind league leaders Liverpool and they know there will me no margin for error if they want to win the league title again. Crystal Palace is currently in 6th position after a strong start, but now face the top 5 in successive matches. Crystal Palace are undefeated at home this season and will be confident they can get points against City. With most of their players on international duty the last 2 weeks, Pep has had little time to work with his players and will be hoping their quality shows on the weekend.

CRYSTAL PALACE:

Against the “bigger” sides Palace often plays very defensive football and try catching teams on the break, no doubt that they will need to do it this weekend. Palace’s work rate has been excellent this season and it will once again be vital if they want to challenge City, they will need to work extra hard off the ball as City will without any doubt boss the possession. Crystal Palace Xgf: 1.21 and xGa: 1.43, their games have lacked entertainment, but as long as they are getting the job done, Hodgson will be more than happy. Sakho will be the only player not 100% this weekend and will likely be on the bench. Club captain Milivojevic will return this weekend after missing their win against West Ham through suspension.

MANCHESTER CITY:

City is currently a wounded team and you’ll be foolish not to think they will bounce back this weekend. Their main focus has always been the Champions League this season, but Pep will demand that they challenge for both. City will likely try and press Palace from the start and try and score early on, forcing Palace to change their approach to more attacking football. Man City’s expected goals thus far: xGf 3.11 and xGa 1.28, their ability to score goals was expected, but the scoring opportunities created by opposition not so much. Laporte and Sane are still long term injuries, Jesus might replace Aguero after the Argentinian was involved in a car crash, but didn’t suffer any injuries.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS:

Crystal Palce: 4-5-1

Guaita,

Ward, Kelly, Cahill, Aanholt,

Zaha, McArthur, Milivojevic, Kouyate, Schlupp,

Ayew.

Manchester City: 4-3-3

Ederson,

Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Zinchenko,

De Bruyne, Rodrigo, Silva,

Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling.

PREDICTION:

I expect Palace to make it difficult for City and challenge them for 90min. I do not expect another shock result like the Wolves one, but Hodgson will play towards his team’s strengths. City should be victorious here, but I expect Palace to score as well. I think this will be the same type of match City had against Everton away, give me that both teams to score. 

BETTING:

Both Teams To Score – 1.88 @ BetOlimp

Best Bets Record: 7-1

Overall Record: 19-12-2

Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change

@ZAPunter