Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Picks and Predictions for Friday August 28 2026

Crystal Palace hosts Manchester City on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Selhurst Park in London, England. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET (8:00 p.m. local time). Palace enters its first home Premier League match of the season after suffering a 2-0 defeat at Everton, while Manchester City opened the Enzo Maresca era with a 2-1 comeback victory over Bournemouth. Get into the Premier League action with our full and free soccer picks.

Manchester City is currently around a -160 moneyline favorite, with Crystal Palace approximately +400 and the draw +330. The primary goal total is 2.5, with the over around -150. City also enters this matchup having won both Premier League meetings with Palace 3-0 last season.

Crystal Palace Looks for a Response at Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace's opening result was disappointing, with the Eagles falling 2-0 at Everton. The final score doesn't completely reflect the opportunities Palace created, however. They generated four big chances but failed to convert any of them, showing that the biggest issue wasn't necessarily getting into dangerous positions but finishing those opportunities.

That becomes a major concern against Manchester City. Palace can't afford another match in which good scoring chances disappear without producing goals. City has enough attacking quality to punish mistakes, meaning Palace will probably need to be considerably more efficient around the penalty area if it wants to pull off the upset.

Selhurst Park gives the Eagles an opportunity to respond in front of their supporters, but recent head-to-head results aren't encouraging. Manchester City won 3-0 at Selhurst Park last season and has generally controlled this matchup in recent years. Palace needs a much sharper performance than it produced at Everton.

Manchester City Begins the Maresca Era With a Win

Manchester City didn't cruise through its opener, but the result was exactly what the club needed. City trailed Bournemouth before scoring twice late to secure a 2-1 victory, giving Maresca three points in his first Premier League match in charge.

There are still reasons for caution. City lost 3-0 to Arsenal in the Community Shield before the season and needed a comeback to defeat Bournemouth, so this doesn't yet look like a completely settled team. However, the ability to turn a losing position into three points demonstrated the depth and attacking quality available to Maresca.

City also has the matchup advantage. Palace has struggled badly against the Citizens recently, including losing both league meetings by three goals last season. If City controls possession and forces Palace to spend extended stretches defending, the pressure should eventually create scoring opportunities.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Picks and Predictions

Pick: Manchester City Moneyline (-160)

Manchester City is the side pick. Palace's ability to create opportunities against Everton makes laying a larger handicap less appealing, but City simply has more ways to win this match. The Citizens already demonstrated against Bournemouth that they can recover when a game doesn't initially go according to plan, while Palace's inability to convert its opportunities remains concerning. The recent head-to-head history strengthens the case, with City winning both league meetings 3-0 last season. Take Manchester City on the moneyline.

Pick: Over 2.5 Goals (-150)

The over is the total pick. Palace generated enough opportunities against Everton to suggest it can contribute offensively at home, while Manchester City should create considerably more pressure than Everton did. City has scored at least three goals in each of its last three Premier League meetings with Palace, including consecutive 3-0 victories last season. A projected score around Manchester City 3, Crystal Palace 1 puts City in position to collect another three points while taking the match comfortably over 2.5 goals. Take Over 2.5.