Palace width can test Man City's midfield control

Manchester City host Crystal Palace this weekend in what will be an extreme clash of styles, as Sky Sports’ Adam Smith says.

Both clubs have won 10 points from their last seven Premier League matches, but they have gone about it in very different ways.

Man City have scored 65 goals in the PL this season, 19 more than Crystal Palace, but the Eagles have still scored more goals than any other club in the bottom half of the table.

The two teams produce their goals through different methods, though.

Palace’s threat arrives primarily from the flanks, with Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend contributing to 825 crosses and corners this season. Only Southampton have attempted more.

This has led to a league-high six headed goals for Christian Benteke.

One might think that Palace’s pace would lead to them scoring a high amount of counter-attacking goals. But it is Man City who top the charts for this.

Despite playing the majority of their football dominating the centre of the pitch, Pep Guardiola’s side have scored a PL-high six goals from fast breaks. Palace have not scored a single one.

Man City average a league-high 65% possession and are likely to dictate the play at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Palace may need to score their first fast-break goal if they are to become only the fourth team to win away at each of Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City in a Premier League season. 

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