Match Overview

Crystal Palace face Manchester City at Selhurst Park with both sides carrying clear objectives: Palace to extend solid home form, City to keep pace at the top. The hosts are buoyed by recent home results and a striker in Jean-Philippe Mateta who enjoys this ground. City arrive in free-scoring mood after a 3-0 win last time out and a strong run in front of goal. A memorable FA Cup win for Palace last May adds extra intrigue to a fixture that often produces goals.

• Fixture: Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
• Competition: Premier League
• Venue: Selhurst Park
• Date: 14-12-2025
• Kickoff: 14:00 GMT / 14:00 UTC

Predicted Lineups

Crystal Palace

• D. Henderson
• M. Lacroix
• T. Mitchell
• C. Richards
• M. Guéhi
• D. Kamada
• A. Wharton
• J. Lerma
• J. Devenny
• J. Mateta
• Yeremy Pino

Manchester City

• G. Donnarumma
• Rúben Dias
• J. Gvardiol
• A. Husanov
• R. Aït-Nouri
• N. O’Reilly
• Nico González
• Matheus Nunes
• P. Foden
• E. Haaland
• J. Doku

Injury & Suspension Report

Crystal Palace

• I. Sarr – Ankle Injury
• Jaydee Canvot – Illness
• C. Doucouré – Knee Injury
• C. Riad – Knee Injury
• Rio Cardines – Muscle Injury
• D. Muñoz – Knee Injury
• Caleb Kporha – Back Injury

Manchester City

• M. Kovačić – Heel Injury
• J. Stones – Injury
• Rodri – Thigh Injury

Head-to-Head

Manchester City lead the historical series with 31 wins from 58 meetings. Crystal Palace have 13 victories and there have been 14 draws. Recent clashes often bring goals, with just over three per game across the last ten encounters.

Match Analysis & Prediction

J. Mateta’s five at Selhurst Park underpin Palace’s high press

Crystal Palace’s home form suggests a side comfortable setting the tempo at Selhurst Park. Two wins and a draw in their last five home matches, plus six recent home goals, point to a balanced approach: patient circulation punctuated by quick, direct breaks. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s seven goals overall, including five at this ground, make him the obvious focal point for quick transitions and set-piece threats. With A. Wharton and J. Lerma offering legs and bite around D. Kamada’s distribution, Palace should be able to contest midfield intervals and spring forward when City’s shape becomes stretched.

Phil Foden’s form fuels Manchester City’s passing game

City travel in strong attacking rhythm after a 3-0 win over Sunderland and 12 goals across their last five matches. Phil Foden’s five goals in his last three appearances add a decisive edge between the lines, dovetailing with E. Haaland’s season tally of 15. Rúben Dias remains a set-piece threat and anchor at the back, while the likely supporting cast of Matheus Nunes, Nico González and N. O’Reilly can keep tempo high in midfield. Absences for Rodri, J. Stones and M. Kovačić may reduce control and build-up stability, but the presence of J. Doku out wide and J. Gvardiol from the back retains ball progression and 1v1 threat.

City’s title chase adds urgency

With 31 points, City enter the weekend with an opportunity to push toward the league summit, sharpening their focus in London. Palace, fourth on 26 points from 15 games, have their own momentum and a strong home platform to protect. The contrast is clear: City’s possession-first model against Palace’s compact shape, pressing triggers, and direct outlet to Mateta. If Palace can slow central progression and keep Foden away from half-spaces, they can create the type of game their home crowd thrives on.

Prediction: A competitive match with chances at both ends. Palace’s home edge and Mateta’s form make them dangerous, but City’s current scoring run and Foden-Haaland axis tip the balance. Manchester City to win 2-1.