Manchester City will pursue UEFA Champions League qualification this weekend when they welcome Crystal Palace, who are also FA Cup semi-finalists, to the Etihad Stadium.
Nolan James Apr 10
After a frustrating draw in the Manchester Derby, Manchester City now face the reality of needing near-perfect results to secure UEFA Champions League football for next season. Currently sitting fifth in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola’s side would qualify under UEFA’s updated coefficient system — but that safety is far from guaranteed. Aston Villa trail by just one point, while Newcastle are two back, both ready to capitalize on any slip-ups from the inconsistent Cityzens.
Adding to the uncertainty, Kevin De Bruyne’s exit from the club has been confirmed. The Belgian midfield maestro is set to leave after a decade at the Etihad, with six league titles to his name. His departure marks the end of a golden era — and puts added pressure on City to finish the season strong.
Crystal Palace, under Oliver Glasner, continue to exceed expectations. With 43 points from 30 games, the Eagles are pushing for a top-half finish. A win at the Etihad, combined with a Bournemouth loss to Fulham, would see them leapfrog into the top 10. Palace have scored 39 and conceded 35 so far, and are riding high in confidence after a gritty 2-1 derby win over Brighton, despite finishing the match with just nine men.
Manchester City are unbeaten in their last six clashes with Palace, but the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park was anything but routine. The 2-2 draw featured early drama with Daniel Muñoz giving Palace a surprise lead, Haaland responding, and a chaotic finish that saw Rico Lewis equalize before being sent off late in the match.
City come into this weekend unbeaten in their last four games, but their performances have been underwhelming. Their last three league results include wins over Bournemouth (1-2) and Leicester (2-0), plus a 2-2 draw with Brighton. At home, they’ve lost just once in their last five — a 2-0 defeat to eventual champions Liverpool — but they haven’t looked like the dominant force of recent seasons.
Palace are in excellent form, undefeated in their last eight outings in all competitions — a run that’s included big wins and an FA Cup semi-final berth. On the road, they’ve claimed scalps like Manchester United (0-2) and Fulham (0-3), while only dropping points at Southampton (1-1). Their current momentum makes them a dangerous opponent, regardless of league position.
Both sides have scored in four of the last five encounters, with neither keeping a clean sheet in the last three meetings. Given recent form and attacking talent on both ends, another high-scoring affair looks likely. While Palace are no pushovers, Manchester City’s unbeaten streak in this fixture and home advantage may just give them the edge — prediction: 2-1 to City.
