Decisive moment for Man City in Crystal Palace clash

Manchester City, odds-on at 8/13 for victory with Coral, travel to Selhurst Park with their future finely balanced. Should City claim all three points against Crystal Palace they will be back in the mix for the Premier League title, but defeat or a draw could see City slip into the battle for just a top four spot.

With both Arsenal and cross-town rivals Manchester United having leapfrogged Manuel Pellegrini’s men, the Citizens now sit fourth and must seize back the initiative.

A spate of poor form on the road could give Alan Pardew’s improved Palace, who are strong at Selhurst, a glimmer of hope against the Sky Blues superstars. The Eagles have emerged triumphant from three of their last four tussles, while City are on a run of three away defeats across all competitions.

Plucky Palace are fantastic value at 3/1 to split the spoils with their guests, and are eager to claim a memorable scalp at City’s expense. Speaking ahead of the clash Pardew told media: “One of the important games this season was against Arsenal when we tried to compete with them toe to toe and gave a very good account of ourselves against a top team.

“Against the top teams – Southampton, Liverpool, Arsenal – we have been really close without toppling any of them. So that is the next step for me and we have a great opportunity.”

The hopeful hosts are 9/2 to take all three points and, as they have notched up eight goals in their past four league games, are 11/4 to score two or more.

As Palace have poured forward in attack under Pardew, however, they have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last seven outings, so odds of 14/1 for both teams to score in both halves may prove a profitable punt.

As for the visitors, they must be hoping the weight of history gives them an edge against the Eagles. City have been victorious in all of their last seven clashes against the London club, triumphing in four of those without conceding, so are a nifty 19/10 to win to nil again.