Crystal Palace vs Manchester City - Statistical Preview

Crystal Palace will be looking to continue their recent run of good form when they entertain title contenders Manchester City at Selhurst Park this Sunday. After a poor start to the season the Eagles looked a certainty to be relegated at the turn of the year, but a turnaround in form has seen them win their last 5 Premier League matches & they now find themselves in 11^th place with 43 points.

Jason Puncheon is likely to be Palace’s biggest goal threat when the sides meet on Sunday. Puncheon is currently the Eagles top scorer with seven goals in 31 appearances.

Yannick Bolasie also impressed against West Ham last weekend making 6 attacking contributions (shots on target, assists, dribbles and crosses) including four dribbles and one cross. The 24 year old has made 26 appearances for Palace this season and his contributions last weekend gave him a season total of 114.

Damien Delaney has statistically been Palace’s strongest defender so far this season. Tony Pulis will be hoping that his form will continue when Palace try to stop the free scoring City attack on Sunday. Delaney has made an outstanding 487 defensive contributions (tackles won, clearances, interceptions and blocks) for his side this season including 77 interceptions and 318 clearances. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that the 32 year old has also won 75% of the tackles he has attempted.

Manchester City’s pursuit of the Premier League title continues this Sunday when they travel to in-form Crystal Palace. City kept their title hopes alive this week with a 3-1 win over West Brom on Monday. The Blues sit just six points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand, with just four games to play. Anything but a win this weekend may all but end City’s hopes of a 2^nd Premier League title in three seasons.

With current top scorer Yaya Touré missing through injury Sergio Agüero is likely to be City’s biggest goal threat on Sunday. The Argentinian, who scored in Monday’s victory over West Brom, has scored 16 goals in 20 appearances so far this season, and according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index Agüero has hit the target with 60% of his 63 efforts at goal.

Despite not having one of his best games on Monday night Samir Nasri is still likely to be a major attacking threat for City this weekend. The Frenchman has made 91 attacking contributions (shots on target, assists, dribbles and crosses) so far this season chipping in with 6 goals and 7 assists in the process. Nasri is the Blues third highest scoring midfielder this season.

Captain Vincent Kompany is likely to be at the heart of the City defence on Sunday after another solid display against West Brom.  Kompany made 11 defensive contributions (tackles won, clearances, interceptions and blocks) on Monday night, adding to the 248 he has made this season. Kompany has also won an impressive 70% of the tackles he has attempted this season.