Crystal Palace vs Manchester City, Premier League: What time does it start and where can I watch it?
A look ahead to Sunday's Premier League clash at Selhurst Park
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Your support makes all the difference.Roy Hodgson will take pride from his side’s efforts against Arsenal in the week. Finding themselves 3-1 down in the second half, Hodgson’s side showed fight and determination to reduce the deficit to one goal, albeit with little time left in the game. Manchester City’s run of form has seen them win 18 consecutive games in the league, sitting 15 points clear of second placed Manchester United, the biggest points difference after 20 games in the history of the Premier League.
Palace will need to be at their best against a City side aiming to equal Guardiola’s managerial record of 19 consecutive wins, achieved while managing Bayern Munich. In their previous two encounters in the league, Palace slumped to 5-0 defeats. With the form City are currently in, a similar scoreline is certainly possible on Sunday.
Crystal Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye suffered a knock in his side’s defeat to Arsenal and will face a fitness test before Sunday. Joel Ward continues his recovery from a groin problem, while Mamadou Sakho remains unavailable with a calf injury.
Guardiola has defensive injury issues of his own. Vincent Kompany is a doubt with a muscle problem though is nearing a return to fitness. John Stones returned to training in the week but is unlikely to make the matchday squad. Left-back Benjamin Mendy continues his lengthy recovery from a cruciate ligament injury that has kept him out since September.
What time does it start?
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City is on Sunday 31 December at 12:00.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be shown on BT Sport 1, with coverage starting at 11:30.
It’s a big game for…
Christian Benteke. The Belgian striker has managed to score just once in the league this season, and while Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend have benefitted from his hold-up play, he would have hoped for a far better return in front of goal this season. With speculation that Hodgson will be tempted to enter the market for a striker in January, Benteke must rediscover his goal-scoring form of previous years.
Best stat…
Palace have conceded 24 goals in their last six matches against Manchester City.
Player to watch…
Raheem Sterling. Often criticised for a lack of end product, the former Liverpool youngster has looked a different player this season under Guardiola with 13 goals and six assists in the league. Sterling, thanks to his improved positioning, has consistently capitalised on the crossing ability of his teammate on the opposite wing, Leroy Sane. With four goals already against Crystal Palace in his career, he’ll be relishing Sunday’s meeting.
Previous three meetings…
Manchester City 5 Crystal Palace 0, Premier League, 23 September 2017
Manchester City 5 Crystal Palace 0, Premier League, 6 May 2017
Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 3, FA Cup, 28 January 2017
Form guide…
Crystal Palace: DWWDL
Manchester City: WWWWW
Odds…
Crystal Palace: 8/1
Manchester City: 3/10
Draw: 9/2
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