Manchester City and Crystal Palace go head-to-head in the Premier League on Saturday, 12th April, at 12:30pm (UK time). Find our match preview and best data-driven bets from expert tipster Anthony Eadson below.
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Will Hughes to be Carded (10/3 with bet365)
Only seven players in the Premier League have committed more fouls this season than Will Hughes, with the Crystal Palace midfielder having given away 2+ in all of his last ten away matches.
Sky Bet and Paddy Power go around 1/2 that Hughes clears the 2+ fouls line against City, but I think the better value proposition is for him to be carded. Flynn Downes (12) is the only player to have more cautions to his name this season than Hughes who has collected 10 in just 25 matches. That’s a strike rate of 1 in every two and a half appearances this season, and with 10/3 on show for a booking on Saturday, I’m happy to get behind this one.
Nico O’Reilly Anytime Assist (7/1 with bet365)
I can envisage plenty of goals in this game. This campaign, 60% of Manchester City’s home matches have featured both teams scoring, and 73% of those have included at least three goals.
Nico O’Reilly looks a stonking price in the anytime assist market at 7/1. The marauding left-back has played well in recent weeks after appearing mostly in domestic competitions this term. Two weeks ago, against Bournemouth in the FA Cup, O’Reilly came off the bench to set up both of Manchester City’s goals in a 2-1 win over Bournemouth. Other bookmakers such as Paddy Power and Betfair have this same selection priced at just 11/4, so take the juicy 7/1 with bet365.
How both teams go into Man City vs Crystal Palace
It’s been a miserable league campaign for Man City who, are sixth in the table, 21 points adrift of leaders Liverpool with nine defeats to their name — the most they’ve suffered since 2019/20 with eight games still to play. Of course, the Cityzens can still salvage a successful season with a top-five finish and by lifting FA Cup and Fifa Club World Cup titles. However, Pep Guardiola will still be glad to see the back of 2024/25.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, will be on cloud nine after they thrashed Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage to book their place in the FA Cup semi-finals. That was their 11th win in their last 14 matches across all competitions, and their form since the end of November has been particularly impressive. Palace were held to a 1-1 draw at Southampton nine days ago, but bounced back with a 2-1 win over Brighton last weekend. That victory leaves Glasner’s men 11th in the table, just two points outside the top half.
Man City team news
Rodri, Erling Haaland, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake are all confirmed absentees for the hosts.
Crystal Palace team news
Will Hughes should return to the starting XI after suffering from illness. Chadi Riad is out until January 2026, while Cheick Doucoure also won’t feature again this season. Marc Guehi and Eddie Nketiah are both suspended, while Maxence Lacroix’s availability is uncertain after his concussion injury.
Man City vs Crystal Palace head-to-head
Crystal Palace have caused problems for City in recent times, scoring eight goals in their last five meetings with the champions. However, they’ve only managed two draws during that time, losing the other three, though their last win against City came as recently as October 2021, 2-0 at the Etihad.
| Man City vs Crystal Palace H2H | |||||||
| Date | Score | Competition | |||||
| 07/12/24 | Crystal Palace 2-2 Man City | Premier League | |||||
| 06/04/24 | Crystal Palace 2-4 Man City | Premier League | |||||
| 16/12/23 | Man City 2-2 Crystal Palace | Premier League | |||||
| 11/03/23 | Crystal Palace 0-1 Man City | Premier League | |||||
| 27/08/22 | Man City 4-2 Crystal Palace | Premier League | |||||