Monday Night Football: Palace v City

Crystal Palace host Manchester City later today to finish the weekends Premiership fixture list. For the visitors, and current champions, the weekend did not yield the greatest results. Dropping from second to fourth before they have even kicked a ball means that their challenge for back to back titles could very well have quickly turned into a battle for a top three, and automatic Champions League, finish.


Manchester United have finally found the form the summer spending, and lack of European distraction, had expected while the two London clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea continued their winning ways. A win tonight at Palace would see them return to second, but Palace has never been an easy place to go, and of course Pellegrini gets to see his old friend Alan Pardew again.

For Palace and Pardew the season has been good, but the job is not done just yet. Ten points clear of the relegation zone I think they already might have enough to survive. However, while it is still mathematically possible to get relegated, I don’t think you can relax. Three wins in the last four, including away wins against West Ham and Stoke, gave them the much needed breathing space.

The good news for Manchester City fans is that Palace haven’t beaten City in the League or Cup since 8th December 2001. That was when the two sides were in the old Division One (now Championship) and Palace beat City 2-1. Manchester City do have the historical advantage over their hosts with a total of forty five games taking place between the two. Of those, City have won just under half, beating Palace on twenty one occasions. On Palaces ground however the stats get a little bit tighter to call, although City still hold the slight advantage with none wins to Palaces seven from the twenty two games played.

The first game between these two in the League was played almost exactly fifty years ago. April 16th 1965 at Maine Road saw City lose 2-0 before Glyn Pardoe scored in a 1-1 draw at Palace three days later. Nothing will beat the result in Round Five of the 1926 FA Cup though, City beat Palace 11-4 with City's goals coming from Roberts (5), Browell (3), Austin, Hicks and Roberts.

Heading into today’s game though and the hosts have no fresh injury concerns. That said they will still be without Mile Jedinak (ban), Marouane Chamakh, Fraizer Campbell and Jordon Mutch (injured).

Manchester City will welcome back Yaya Toure and James Milner is available for selection for Pellegrini. The pressure is fully on Manchester City, make no mistake, and a defeat will not only see a title defense slip away, but also be the first time City have lost three consecutive away games in four years.

I think that City will win though, and if it is convincingly then it might give United, Arsenal and Chelsea something to think about. Yaya Toure will start and will be odds on to score, as he has in his two previous appearances against Palace.

Jason is a Freelance Soccer Writer. You can follow him on Twitter @PACityboy and www.facebook.com/jasonbardwell1979