Match Preview: Manchester City huge favourites to beat Crystal Palace

Manchester City will look to continue their pursuit of retaining the Premier League title when they host Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

The Citizens did not have an enjoyable night against London opposition recently as they were beaten and knocked out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday in a penalty shootout to West Ham United.

However, Pep Guardiola’s side are back on home soil for this clash in the league and Man City have been priced 1/6 on Betway Sportsbook to leave the fixture with all three points.

Indeed, the Etihad Stadium outfit have been exceptional in the Premier League so far this season despite the blip that they suffered in the first game of the season to Tottenham Hotspur.

They are yet to lose another game since that surprise defeat, having won six and drawn two since that meeting at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They also have one of the meanest defences in the league as they have conceded just four goals (second-fewest) whilst they have managed to net 20 goals in the nine games played thus far (third-most).

Nonetheless, although it would be easy to write off any team that comes up against Manchester City in the league, Crystal Palace have been quietly impressing under the guidance of Patrick Vieira as their manager.

The former Citizen had a difficult start at Selhurst Park as he witnessed his side get thumped by Chelsea, but they have managed to acquire six draws and one win in their nine fixtures so far. The main problem that the Eagles have had under the Frenchman is their inability to finish the game off.

Matches against Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal spring to mind as they conceded last-minute equalisers in both meetings, although their win against Tottenham Hotspur was rather impressive. Odsonne Edouard was exceptional in that game and will need to be at his very best if Palace are to get past City.

Guardiola will be able to call upon the vast majority of his star-studded squad, although Raheem Sterling and Ferran Torres will be absentees for the hosts on Saturday. The England international is out with a lower back issue, whilst the Spaniard is out with an ankle problem.

Crystal Palace will travel to the Etihad Stadium without Nathan Ferguson (shin) and Eberechi Eze (lower leg), with the latter of the duo expected to be out for a rather long period of time.

Whilst it could be a close game, it would just as equally not be a surprise to see City run away with the result.