Manchester City faces Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park today, aiming to keep the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League. The match is a repeat of last season's FA Cup final, which Crystal Palace won.
The Stakes
Arsenal's recent victory against Wolves has put them five points ahead of City. A win for City against Crystal Palace would reduce the gap to two points. Crystal Palace is currently fifth in the league and will be looking to solidify their top-four status.
Form Guide
Manchester City has been in excellent form, winning their last four matches in all competitions. This includes a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League. Crystal Palace is also on a good run, having won their last three matches. They secured a 3-0 victory against Shelbourne in the UEFA Conference League. However, Palace had a disrupted preparation due to flight delays after their match in Dublin.
Team News
Crystal Palace has several injury concerns. Daniel Muñoz is ruled out until 2026 due to a knee injury. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaïla Sarr are also doubtful for the game. Oliver Glasner is hopeful that Mateta and Sarr will be available. Nathaniel Clyne is expected to replace Muñoz.
Manchester City will be without Rodri and John Stones. Rodri is still recovering from a hamstring injury. John Stones is sidelined with a thigh injury. Mateo Kovacic is also unavailable. Pep Guardiola was absent from Friday's press conference due to a personal matter but is expected to be in the dugout for the match.
Key Stats and Head-to-Head
Crystal Palace has only won two of their last 20 Premier League matches against City. Palace's home record against City is poor, with three draws and seven losses in their recent encounters. Crystal Palace's league games have averaged a league-low 2.13 goals per game this season. City has only scored more than once in two of their seven away league games.
Players to Watch
Yéremy Pino has been in good form for Crystal Palace, with all his club goals being the final goal in matches won by at least two goals. For Manchester City, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden are in excellent form. Rayan Cherki has scored all four of his goals after the 80th minute. Jérémy Doku's performance could cause problems for Clyne.
Premier League Standings
As of today, December 14, 2025, the Premier League standings are as follows:
- Arsenal: 16 matches, 36 points
- Manchester City: 15 matches, 31 points
- Aston Villa: 15 matches, 30 points
- Chelsea: 16 matches, 28 points
- Crystal Palace: 15 matches, 26 points
Predictions
Despite Crystal Palace's good form, Manchester City is the favorite to win the match. City's strong attack and need to keep pace with Arsenal make them a dangerous opponent. However, Crystal Palace is a tough team to beat, especially at home.
