Form and Line-up Manchester City
Last week Manchester City produced a highly erratic away performance against Everton (3:3), a result that allowed Arsenal to pull away again in the standings. Yes, a draw is a disappointing outcome, but the visitors showed character by coming back from 1:3 and almost finishing off their opponent. At home against Brentford (3:0) there were no mistakes: the favourites scored all their goals after the break, and the xG difference (2.98-0.24) underlined how comfortably the hosts dismantled the mid-table side. Supporters are expecting a similar scenario on Wednesday.
Key numbers Manchester City:
Manchester City have the highest cumulative xG this season (74.75).
Manchester City have scored 41 home goals in 17 games — the best record in the league. They are the only side to have generated more than 40 xG (40.56) on their own ground.
Manchester City have scored 2+ goals in 11 of their recent matches at the Etihad.
Probable Manchester City line-up (4-2-3-1)
Gianluigi Donnarumma — Nico O'Reilly, Nathan Ake, Marc Guehi, Matheus Nunes — Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders — Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo — Erling Haaland.
Absentees: Josko Gvardiol, Rodri (both injured).
Form and Line-up Crystal Palace
Over the past two weeks Crystal Palace have been fully focused on the Europa Conference League, where they beat Shakhtar Donetsk twice in the semi-finals (3:1 and 2:1). On the other hand, in the Premier League they have picked up only one point from a possible six in that spell, with a defeat to Bournemouth (0:3) and a draw with Everton (2:2). In the league the team have not won since 12 April, slipping away from the top half of the table and edging closer to the relegation zone, although they will not drop into it.
Key numbers Crystal Palace:
The team have scored 20 goals away from home — only seven clubs have a weaker attacking record.
Crystal Palace have lost three of their last four away matches, conceding 2+ goals in each.
Since the start of the 2022/23 season Crystal Palace have conceded a total of 11 goals in three visits to the Etihad.
Probable Crystal Palace line-up (3-4-2-1)
Dean Henderson — Jaydee Canvot, Maxence Lacroix, Chris Richards — Tyrick Mitchell, Daichi Kamada, Adam Wharton, Daniel Munoz — Brennan Johnson, Ismaila Sarr — Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Absentees: Eddie Nketiah, Cheick Doucoure, Evann Guessand, Borna Sosa (all injured).
