Manchester City will continue their pursuit of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League on Saturday with a visit to the capital to face Crystal Palace. City are currently five points off the top of the Premier League, with Pep Guardiola’s men likely to be required to put together the type of winning run we saw in 2018/19’s title race if they are to retain the title.
Palace come into the game without a win in 2023, with five draws and five losses in their last 10 matches in all competitions. Despite this run, Palace sit 12th in the Premier League, five points ahead of 18th-placed Everton. City haven’t lost at Selhurst Park since 2015, but since then they have been handed defeat by the Eagles at the Etihad Stadium twice, most recently a 2-0 loss in October 2021.
Crystal Palace are boosted by the return of Wilfried Zaha who played for the first time since January last weekend, but Palace are far from a one-man band.
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Here’s who City fans will have to look out for.
Michael Olise
A player with bags of potential, Michael Olise has been at the forefront of most things positive for Palace this season. The 21-year-old traditionally plays off the right, but his vision and passing range make him at home playing just off the striker. Whilst Olise is known more for his playmaking abilities rather than his goalscoring prowess, when he does find the net it’s often in the biggest moments.
Both of Olise’s Premier League goals this campaign have been in second-half injury time, with a 94th-minute winner at the London Stadium and more recently a superb equalising free-kick against Manchester United. Only Zaha has more goals and assists than Olise for Palace this season, showcasing how important he is for the Eagles, and with pedigree in the biggest moments Olise will be one for the City defence to keep an eye on.
Wilfried Zaha
Zaha will come into the weekend with another week’s training under his belt as he looks to put January’s hamstring injury behind him. There is currently a lot of speculation that the Palace forward will be moving on in the summer with his current deal at Palace concluding in the summer, but whilst the Ivorian is still in the side he will continue to worry Premier League defences.
Despite turning 30 in November, Zaha still possesses the same turn of pace and dribbling ability that he earnt his reputation from with an average of 1.9 completed dribbles per game. Zaha scored in Palace’s 2-0 win at the Etihad last season but is without a goal since November, something he will be determined to change on Saturday.
Albert Sambi Lokonga
Arsenal loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga has settled well into life at his new club since his January arrival, starting the last three matches and becoming a key man in midfield for the Eagles. His best quality is his composure in midfield, always picking good passing options and keeping the play ticking for his side. He averages 24 passes per game with 91% accuracy, but with only an average of 44 minutes per game due to his Arsenal days that is a number that is expected to drastically increase over the coming weeks.
He has gone toe to toe with City already this season, playing 45 minutes off the bench in City’s FA Cup tie with Arsenal in January. The 23-year-old impressed with 100% passing accuracy and won three out of five ground duels. The Belgian will be confident heading into the match after already demonstrating his ability to compete with the City midfield, setting up an interesting midfield battle at Selhurst Park.
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