Premier League Predictions: Haaland to shine in City's win over Palace

Erling Haaland likes to hear his name, how many times will he do this on Saturday against Crystal Palace? (Photo credit: GOAL)

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace

Etihad Stadium

3pm

The champions were stunned at St. James’s Park last weekend and it was a great event to watch. A sensational audition for the premier league and the reason we think it’s the best in the world. Thank you, Manchester City, thank you Newcastle.

The Cityzens will be happy Liverpool didn’t take advantage of the slip up at Newcastle with the Kops dropping entire points to United at Old Trafford and looking at the weekend fixtures, City would know that there are high chances the Kops would win so, they must do their business too.

Crystal Palace are fast becoming bogey team to lots of clubs. The Eagles are creative and solid defensively, City will have to work hard to break them down after seeing them wear out Liverpool in their penultimate game.

Palace beat Aston Villa last weekend 3-1 and despite news coming out that brace hero from the game, Wilfred Zaha will be unavailable due to injury, Palace will still be a strong opponent for Manchester City on Saturday at the Etihad.

Erling Haaland will fancy this game as the man up top, he will have Aaronson and Marc Guehi to negotiate in that regard but we all know he’s not afraid. The game will be won and lost in the middle of the park and that is where quality is expected to speak for the champions.

City dominated possession against Newcastle but Nick Pope and everyone in front of him made it hard for City to penetrate. They did concede three times bit it could have been more; Palace would need that template to study on positional play and firm anticipation.

Kevin De Bruyne will be key. His thoughtful pass to Bernardo Silva for the equalizer and the Portuguese’ spatial awareness should also be studied, lots of such will happen on Saturday and should Palace sleep off, they will be punished.

Palace took points off City home and away last season, including a shock 2-0 win at the Etihad. Patrick Vieira will dream another of such joy but can he manage everything the champions will throw at his team? City won’t take no prisoners.

Verdict: City to win