Crystal Palace vs Manchester City: Premier League Preview, Team News, Form & H2H

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City opens Premier League Matchweek 2 at Selhurst Park on Friday, 28 August 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 SAST. Palace are looking for their first points of the season after a 2-0 defeat at Everton, while City arrive after starting the Enzo Maresca era with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Bournemouth.

The fixture also brings two new managerial eras into focus. Pierre Sage takes charge of his first league match at Selhurst Park, while Maresca leads Manchester City away from home in the Premier League for the first time. Both teams have already shown areas to improve: Palace created chances without scoring at Everton, while City needed two late goals to overturn Bournemouth’s lead.

Recent history favours Manchester City, but Palace have shown they can make this matchup difficult in one-off games. Their 2025 FA Cup final win remains the clearest example, even though City won both league meetings last season without conceding.

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Crystal Palace vs Manchester City match details

For the wider season context, see SportPesa South Africa’s Premier League 2026/27 season preview.

Crystal Palace form: chances created but no opening-day reward

Palace began the season with a 2-0 defeat away to Everton. The result was disappointing, but it did not tell the full story. Pierre Sage’s side hit the woodwork twice and forced Jordan Pickford into an important save from Eddie Nketiah, showing that the attacking structure created opportunities even without a goal.

Palace started at Everton with Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada in central midfield, Daniel Muñoz and Tyrick Mitchell providing width, and Jean-Philippe Mateta alongside Nketiah in the attacking unit. That gives Sage a base to work from, but the home side need better efficiency in the final third.

The City game is Sage’s first Premier League fixture at Selhurst Park. The challenge is to keep Palace compact enough to resist long spells without the ball while still giving Mateta, Nketiah and the supporting runners enough service to threaten in transition.

Manchester City form: late comeback starts the Maresca era

Manchester City also had problems on the opening weekend, but they found a way to win. Bournemouth led through Marcus Tavernier from the 26th minute and stayed in front until the closing stages.

Marc Guéhi equalised in the 84th minute before Joško Gvardiol scored the stoppage-time winner. Rayan Cherki’s introduction was decisive, with the midfielder creating both late goals and giving City the attacking invention they had lacked earlier in the game.

City’s opening XI also highlighted the scale of their transition under Maresca. Gianluigi Donnarumma started in goal, with Guéhi alongside Rúben Dias, while Elliot Anderson, Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly formed part of a younger midfield structure behind Phil Foden and Erling Haaland.

For more on City’s opening fixture, read SportPesa South Africa’s Manchester City vs Bournemouth preview.

Crystal Palace team news

Crystal Palace will be without Ismaïla Sarr, who has a groin injury. Chadi Riad is also unavailable after suffering an injury in the defeat at Everton and is undergoing further specialist assessment.

Axel Disasi joined Palace on loan from Chelsea this week and has already trained with his new teammates. Pierre Sage has said the defender is physically ready, but his lack of recent collective training means his involvement against City will depend on the final matchday assessment.

Jean-Philippe Mateta remains available and started the opening match. Adam Wharton, Daniel Muñoz, Daichi Kamada and Eddie Nketiah are also important to Palace’s current structure, particularly with Sarr unavailable.

Manchester City team news

Jérémy Doku remains sidelined for Manchester City. Matheus Nunes is not yet fully fit, although he returned from injury to come off the bench against Bournemouth. Elliot Anderson is available after his opening-day substitution was confirmed as cramp rather than an injury.

New midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi is also available after completing his move from Lille. Maresca has said the 18-year-old is fit but will be integrated carefully rather than rushed.

City’s attacking options still include Haaland, Foden, Antoine Semenyo and Cherki. Cherki’s impact from the bench against Bournemouth gives Maresca another creative option if Palace succeed in keeping the game compact.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City H2H

Manchester City hold the stronger Premier League record in this fixture. Palace’s official match centre lists 26 league meetings between the clubs, with City winning 18, Palace winning three and five ending in draws.

The recent sequence is more varied across competitions. City won both league meetings in 2025/26 by 3-0 scorelines, but Palace beat City 1-0 in the 2025 FA Cup final.

City’s record at Selhurst Park is particularly strong: their last defeat there in a league match came in April 2015. Palace therefore need to draw more from the FA Cup final performance than from last season’s league meetings.

Where Crystal Palace can trouble Manchester City

Palace’s best route is unlikely to come from trying to match City for possession. Their stronger moments can come when Wharton or Kamada win the ball and release the attack quickly, particularly through Muñoz on the right or into Mateta before City’s back line is fully set.

Set-pieces are another important area. City conceded Bournemouth’s opener after being stretched during a transition and only rescued the game late. Palace will want to force City to defend repeated deliveries and second balls rather than allowing Maresca’s side to settle into long possession spells.

How Manchester City can control the match

City’s main task is to move Palace’s defensive block without becoming predictable. Foden can operate between the lines, Haaland fixes the centre-backs, and players such as Semenyo and Cherki can attack from different angles around him.

The midfield structure is also central. Anderson was energetic against Bournemouth, while Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly gave City additional movement in central areas. Bouaddi adds another option, although Maresca has indicated that his introduction will be managed carefully.

If Palace defend deep, City’s patience around the box will matter. The Bournemouth game showed that their substitutes can change the tempo, with Cherki’s late creativity turning a losing position into three points.

Three tactical battles to watch

Adam Wharton against City’s midfield pressure

Wharton’s ability to receive under pressure is important if Palace want to escape City’s first press. If he can turn and find Mateta, Nketiah or Muñoz quickly, Palace can attack before City recover their defensive shape.

Jean-Philippe Mateta against City’s centre-backs

Mateta gives Palace a direct target and can help them move up the pitch when they cannot play through midfield. Guéhi and Dias need to control his physical presence while also dealing with runners around the second ball.

Phil Foden between Palace’s lines

Foden’s positioning can create difficult decisions for Palace’s midfield and back line. If he receives repeatedly in central pockets, Palace may be forced to narrow their shape, which can open space for City’s wider attackers.

Key players to watch

Adam Wharton – Palace’s most important progressive midfielder and a key player in helping the team escape pressure.

Jean-Philippe Mateta – Provides the physical reference point in attack and can bring supporting runners into the game.

Daniel Muñoz – Offers width and forward running from the right side, especially when Palace break quickly.

Erling Haaland – City’s main penalty-box threat even after a quiet opening match against Bournemouth.

Phil Foden – Central to City’s chance creation and movement between the lines.

Rayan Cherki – Changed the Bournemouth game from the bench and provides an additional creative route if City need to unlock a deep block.

Confirmed lineups and live match updates

The starting lineups should only be added once Crystal Palace and Manchester City officially release their teams. Until then, the preview should stay with confirmed availability, current form and verified squad information rather than projected XIs.

Once the match begins, use SP Score for the latest score, confirmed lineups, goals, cards, substitutions and match statistics.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City FAQs

When is Crystal Palace vs Manchester City?

The match is on Friday, 28 August 2026.

What time is Crystal Palace vs Manchester City?

Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 SAST.

Where is Crystal Palace vs Manchester City being played?

The match is at Selhurst Park.

How did Crystal Palace start the season?

Palace lost 2-0 away to Everton on the opening weekend.

How did Manchester City start the season?

City beat Bournemouth 2-1 after scoring twice late in the match.

Is Ismaïla Sarr available?

No. Sarr is unavailable with a groin injury.

Is Jérémy Doku available?

No. Doku remains sidelined.

Conclusion

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City brings two developing teams into Matchweek 2 with very different opening results. Palace need a sharper final product after creating chances without scoring at Everton, while City need greater control earlier in matches after relying on a late comeback against Bournemouth.

The key football questions centre on how Palace cope without Sarr and Riad, whether Disasi is ready to contribute immediately, and how Maresca uses City’s changing midfield and attacking options. Confirmed lineups will provide the next major update before kick-off at Selhurst Park.

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