Crystal Palace welcome Manchester Metropolis to Selhurst Park on Sunday, in a Premier League conflict loaded with current historical past and title implications. It’s the first league assembly between the edges since Palace shocked Metropolis 1-0 within the FA Cup remaining final Could, a end result that delivered the Eagles their first main trophy and nonetheless lingers within the reminiscence.
Metropolis arrive on the again of a morale-boosting European night time, having edged Actual Madrid 2-1 on the Bernabeu, a end result that underlined their momentum as reported by SoftFootball.
Palace, in the meantime, come into the sport with confidence of their very own after a convincing 3-0 Europa Convention League win away to Shelbourne, extending their profitable run throughout competitions to a few matches.
Oliver Glasner’s facet have been one of many league’s most constant groups this season and sit fourth within the desk, whereas Metropolis are second and simply two factors behind leaders Arsenal after clawing again floor in current weeks.
Metropolis assistant coach Kolo Toure, who spoke to the media in Pep Guardiola’s absence, made it clear the guests should not distracted by the title race narrative. He pressured that the main target stays inside, saying the squad are concentrating on their very own performances slightly than Arsenal.
Touré additionally described working below Guardiola as a dream, praising the supervisor’s power, belief and freedom he provides his workers to precise themselves.
Glasner expects an enormous check however believes his group can rise to it once more. He highlighted the necessity for effectivity, sturdy goalkeeping and collective spirit, the identical elements that carried Palace to FA Cup glory.
The Austrian coach admitted Metropolis’s assault is fluid and troublesome to comprise however feels there will probably be areas to take advantage of if Palace are courageous and decisive.
Workforce Information
Metropolis will probably be with out Rodri and John Stones this weekend. Rodri is progressing properly in his rehabilitation however is not going to function, whereas Stones is recovering from a thigh problem and is predicted again quickly, as confirmed in a put up shared by the membership’s official X account.
Test the put up beneath:
Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri are each out there for this match earlier than departing for AFCON. Palace stay with out Daniel Munoz, with late calls to be made on Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr, although Glasner is optimistic each could be concerned.
Potential Lineups
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Pino, Nketiah; Mateta.
Manchester Metropolis (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez; Cherki, Reijnders, Foden, Doku; Haaland.
Metropolis’s file at Selhurst Park is robust, and their attacking type has been ruthless, however Palace’s construction and perception make this a severe examination. Anticipate a aggressive contest with possibilities at each ends. SoftFootball predicts a slender Manchester Metropolis win, with high quality more likely to inform late on.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester Metropolis.
