When Manchester City roll into town, most teams brace for an onslaught. But this weekend's clash at Selhurst Park feels a little different, doesn't it. There's a growing feeling that Crystal Palace could throw a real spanner in the works. With City’s shaky away form and a grueling midweek battle with Real Madrid still fresh in their legs, this matchup is shaping up to be anything but predictable.
Key Highlights
- ✓ A bold prediction is on the table: a 1-1 draw between Crystal Palace and Manchester City.
- ✓ Manchester City are coming off a tough match against Real Madrid with only an extra 24 hours of rest.
- ✓ Palace manager Oliver Glasner has a history of success against City, having masterminded a famous FA Cup final victory.
- ✓ Despite City's firepower, including the ever-dangerous Erling Haaland, their recent away form has raised some doubts.
- ✓ The highly anticipated match is set for Sunday, December 14, at Selhurst Park, with a 7:30 PM IST kick-off.
The Case for a Selhurst Park Stalemate
Let's get right to it—Chris Sutton's prediction of a 1-1 draw is turning heads, and for good reason. It’s easy to just assume City will find a way to win, as they so often do. But Sutton isn't convinced this time, and when you dig into the details, you can start to see why this isn't just wishful thinking from a pundit. The logic behind it is pretty compelling, pointing to a perfect storm of factors that could level the playing field.
A huge piece of this puzzle is Palace's manager, Oliver Glasner. He’s not just any manager; he's a manager who has already proven he has the blueprint to beat City on the big stage. That FA Cup final win wasn't a fluke. It suggests a deep, tactical understanding of how to neutralize City's strengths and exploit their weaknesses. Having a manager who has already "cracked the code" gives the entire team a massive psychological boost. They'll believe they can do it again, and in football, belief is half the battle.
Of course, it's not just about the gaffer. Crystal Palace are a team that, on their day, can trouble anyone. While their season has been a bit up and down, partly due to the extra demands of the Europa Conference League, the underlying quality is there. Playing in Europe seasons a squad, making them tougher and more resilient. That experience could be crucial in managing a game against a giant like City.
Are City Running on Empty.
Now, let's talk about the visitors. Manchester City are a footballing machine, but even machines need maintenance and time to recover. The fact they only have an extra 24 hours of rest after a titanic clash with Real Madrid cannot be overstated. That’s not just physical fatigue; it’s mental and emotional exhaustion. Flying back, recovering, and immediately switching focus to a tricky Premier League away game is a monumental task. Current trends reveal that
This is where Sutton’s skepticism about City's away form really hits home. He points to their "collapse at Fulham" as a key piece of evidence. That match clearly left an impression, suggesting a certain fragility when they're not at the Etihad. When a team like City shows they can be rattled on the road, it gives opponents like Palace a clear target to aim for. They’ll know that if they can stay in the game and apply pressure, cracks might just appear.
Even with a goal machine like Erling Haaland in the lineup, one goal might not be enough if the rest of the team is struggling to keep up the relentless pace we expect from them. Haaland will almost certainly get his chances—he always does—and it's a safe bet he'll find the back of the net. This brings us to But the real question is what happens at the other end of the pitch and in the midfield battle. Will City have the legs to dominate for the full 90 minutes. Analysts note that
The Players to Watch and Where to See It
Looking at the expected lineups gives us a glimpse of where the key battles will be fought. For Crystal Palace, the front three of Sarr, Pino, and Jean-Philippe Mateta will be crucial. Their pace and directness could cause real problems for a City backline that might be a step slower than usual. Behind them, the midfield duo of Wharton and Kamada will need to be at their absolute best to disrupt City's rhythm.
On the City side, all eyes will be on Haaland, but the creative spark will likely come from players like Foden and Silva. The backline, featuring the formidable Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, will be tasked with keeping Palace’s attackers quiet. It will be fascinating to see how they handle the atmosphere and physical challenge that Selhurst Park always provides.
If you're as excited as I am to see how this one plays out, you'll want to mark your calendar. The Crystal Palace vs Manchester City match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 PM IST on Sunday, December 14. Analysts note that For viewers wanting to catch the action live, the game will be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network. Another important factor is If you prefer to stream, you can find it on the SonyLiv app and website.
Expected Lineups
Here's a look at the players expected to take the field:
Crystal Palace: Henderson (gk), Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Clyne, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Pino, Mateta.
Manchester City: Donnarumma (gk), Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Rilley, Silva, Gonzalez, Reinjders, Cherki, Foden, Haaland.
Conclusion
So, what’s the bottom line. While you can never write off a team with the sheer quality of Manchester City, this match has all the ingredients for an upset, or at the very least, a hard-fought draw. The combination of City's potential fatigue, their questionable away form, and Palace's tactical preparedness under Oliver Glasner makes the 1-1 prediction seem not just possible, but quite plausible. It’s a classic Premier League encounter where grit and strategy could triumph over pure talent. Don't be surprised if the Eagles manage to clip the champions' wings at Selhurst Park.
