A number of the top teams in the Premier League had a frustrating midweek. Many, including Manchester City, ended up with subpar results on nights where they figured to get three points.
The Citizens will have another shot to move closer to the top of the table in the BPL on Saturday at home against Crystal Palace.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Manchester City -250
Crystal Palace +650
Draw +415
Over/Under 3 (under -115)
ODDS ANALYSIS
When you think about what Crystal Palace has done in recent matches, it's tough to imagine that this is a mid-table team which still could go on a really good run to compete for a spot in the top four. The Eagles though, aren't getting any respect in this match as a +650 moneyline choice. They're 1.5-goal underdogs on the Asian Handicap, albeit as slight favorites in that proposition at -130.
The total is the story here. CP's strikers have been in woeful form all season long, scoring just one goal on the term in totality, yet the number to beat here at the Ethiad on Saturday is set at a high three.
KEY INJURIES
Manuel Pellegrini is likely a dead man walking in Manchester, but he isn't being helped by the fact that his team hasn't been able to stay healthy. Normally speaking, a team which loses talent like Wilfried Bony, Fernandinho, Vincent Kompany and Samir Nasri would be crippled. The Citizens continue to push through and are still fielding a rock solid team match in and match out.
Palace is still without Yannick Bolasie and Dwight Gayle even though both were supposed to be back in the fold from injuries they suffered in December in relatively short order.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"All around, we were disappointing. The lack of offensive power going forward is going to be a big problem." – Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur on a 1-0 loss at Aston Villa on Wednesday as well as the team's offensive problems this year
RECENT FORM
There are times of late when Manchester City has looked great. A 3-0 win at Norwich City in the FA Cup was a dominant performance, as was a 4-1 win at home against Sunderland. However, the results around that just haven't been good of late, and that's turned up the heat on Pellegrini quite high even with the dipping temperatures in January throughout England. The scoreless draw against Everton might end up being seen as a tipping point, as that's two bad results in a row against a mid-table team dating back to the start of the new year.
Palace's last four matches here in the EPL haven't been good at all. The team was beaten by lowly Aston Villa on Wednesday, and that followed a disappointing 3-0 loss at home to Chelsea, a scoreless draw against Swansea and another matching result against Bournemouth.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
They're called Plucky Palace for a reason, and we think they're going to snare a point from this match at the Ethiad, even without any real offensive weapons.
McArthur in particular has been quite strong coming forward out of the field, and these are the types of teams which tend to give the Citizens the most in the way of troubles.
With all of the injuries City has to deal with, we aren't sure that the result against Everton might not be replicated in this match. If the defenders at the back can find a way to consistently mark Sergio Aguero, the hosts could be set for yet another disappointing draw.
Manchester City 1, Crystal Palace 1
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Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The fixture between Manchester City and Crystal Palace is scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. ET at Ethiad Stadium. The match will be televised live on NBC Sports Network.
