City are back from the international break on Monday and face a must-win fixture as they make the trip to Selhurst Park and Crystal Palace in the Premier League, after wins for Arsenal and United on the weekend left The Blues in 4th with a game in hand.
In the game between the pair earlier this season, in mid-December, City continued what was a fine vein of form with a 3-0 win over The Eagles, then managed by Neil Warnock – who was sacked by the Palace board a week later. That day, a double from David Silva before Yaya added the third was enough to seal the three points at Eastlands. City won’t be going into the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park with a brilliant run of form, but will be confident they can nick a result.
If last season is anything to go by, City could very well get something as well. In last season’s corresponding fixture, The Blues went to Selhurst Park needing a result to keep up the title charge and despite there being some doubters, managed to pull off a fantastic 2-0 win after an early goal from Edin Dzeko and then a stunning goal from Yaya Toure after he ran a long way with the ball before scoring.
If they are to get a result at Selhurst Park, they have a fully-fit squad with which to achieve it. James Milner missed England’s second international during the break but should be back fit to play (if he’s picked, of course) against Palace.
The Eagles, on the other hand, have players absent – although some do return. Whilst Lee Chung-Yong (ankle), Jordan Mutch (hip), Frazier Campbell (hamstring) and Jerome Thomas are all absent for the game, Joe Ledley should recover from a hip injury and Marouane Chamakh will have a late fitness test to determine if he is able to play.
Apart from last season, this fixture has rarely held more significance to a City season. If they lose, they remain in 4th with not long to go, and even a draw only sees us move back up to 3rd on goal difference. However, a win moves us back up to 2nd, a point clear of Arsenal and two clear of United. With the Manchester derby next weekend, City will be hoping to go into that not only on form, but also above their cross-city rivals, just in case we don’t win.
