Manchester City must keep the pressure on Arsenal in the Premier League title race. Richard Trenchard, a Premier League betting analyst, previews Wednesday’s clash against Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium, where only three points are acceptable for Pep Guardiola’s side.
City’s dominant 3-0 victory over Brentford on Saturday was exactly what they needed. They controlled possession, enjoyed territorial dominance for most of the match, and secured a three-goal margin. Goal difference could prove crucial come the end of the season.
Crystal Palace has had an unusual season, losing more games than they’ve won in the Premier League. Manager Oliver Glasner will leave Selhurst Park at the end of the month. However, the Eagles are heading to the UEFA Conference League final on May 27—their second major cup final in as many seasons. Will their focus be more on that match than on the trip to Manchester?
**Predictions for Manchester City vs Crystal Palace**
– **Manchester City -1 Handicap:** 1.62 (bet365) – This bet wins if City win by two or more goals.
– **Manchester City to Win & 2-4 Total Goals:** 2.00 (bet365) – Covers results like 2-0, 2-1, 3-0, and 3-1.
– **Erling Haaland First Goalscorer:** 2.88 (bet365) – Haaland has scored in four of his last five games, including a hat-trick against Liverpool.
**Goal-Hungry Citizens**
City have scored three goals against Brentford, Everton, and Chelsea in their last six matches, and two against Arsenal and Southampton in the same period.
Omar Marmoush celebrates his goal for Manchester City against Brentford. (Photo: NEWS IMAGES / NURPHOTO / NURPHOTO VIA AFP)
They are hungry for goals and aware that goal difference—and even total goals scored—could decide the Premier League champion. Notably, before their two Conference League semi-final legs against Shakhtar, Palace lost 3-1 at Liverpool and 3-0 at Bournemouth. Their sole focus now appears to be the Conference League final, leaving them vulnerable to a motivated, offensively gifted City side.
**Double Down**
City are such clear favorites that even if our first pick doesn’t land, this selection holds great value. We bet on City to win and likely win well, with Palace potentially failing to score. This covers many final scorelines: 2-0, 2-1, 3-0, 3-1. At even odds, it seems more than fair.
**Haaland the Goalscorer**
Goalscorers feed on confidence—none more so than Erling Haaland, who can go minutes without touching the ball before finding the right spot at the right time. The Norwegian has scored in four of his last five matches, and before that netted a hat-trick against Liverpool. Odds of 2.88 imply a 34% probability, but one could argue Haaland’s chance of scoring first on Wednesday is even higher.
**Odds for Manchester City vs Crystal Palace**
– Manchester City: 1.20 (bet365)
– Draw: 7.50 (bet365)
– Crystal Palace: 12.00 (bet365)
All odds are correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
**Key Players:** Erling Haaland, Pep Guardiola, Manchester City, Crystal Palace