Crystal Palace vs Manchester City betting tips: Goals on the Friday menu

Matchday Two of the new English Premier League season kicks off on Friday night as Crystal Palace welcome Manchester City to Selhurst Park.

Odds Now’s Matt Hill has taken a look at the weekend’s opening clash and given his best betting angles.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City betting odds

Match winner - Crystal Palace 17/4, Draw 16/5, Manchester City 4/6

Over 2.5 match goals - Yes 4/6, No 5/4

Both Teams To Score - Yes 4/6, No 6/5

Goal In Both Halves - Yes 8/13, No 11/8

First Goalscorer (selected) - Erling Haaland 13/4, Jean-Philippe Mateta 7/1, Antoine Semenyo 15/2, Jorgen Strand Larsen 17/2, Phil Foden 9/1, Ismaila Sarr 10/1, Rayan Cherki 11/1, Nico O’Reilly 12/1, No Goalscorer 14/1

* Odds correct at time of publish (5pm Thursday August 26th) and subject to change.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City match preview

Opening weekend brought mixed results for these two sides under their new bosses, though neither were 100% convincing in terms of performance levels.

Manchester City were staring at an opening-day defeat on home turf when trailing Bournemouth 1-0 with only six minutes of normal time remaining. However, late strikes from defensive duo Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol – the latter in injury time – turned the game on its head and spared Enzo Maresca a nightmare start.

City started the game reasonably well but were all over the place defensively for Marcus Tavernier’s opening goal, before struggling to find a way through the Cherries’ backline after falling behind. In the end, it was a corner that drew them level, before a bit of quality play saw them slice open their plucky opponents right at the death.

Palace, meanwhile, suffered almost the reverse fate. Starting their trip to Everton with promise, Pierre Sage’s men were wasteful with their opportunities, twice hitting the post at 0-0.

They were punished by the Toffees, who went ahead just before half-time via a fine Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall strike and doubled their lead after the break via Thierno Barry, leaving Sage empty-handed in his Premier League bow.

City and Palace have enjoyed some great contests over recent years, with City taking six of the 11 meetings over the last five seasons, Palace winning two and three ending level. The Eagles did enjoy a famous 1-0 victory over City to lift the FA Cup two seasons ago, however.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City betting tips

Over 2.5 match goals - 4/6 (various)

Goals do tend to fly when these two meet, with each of the last six Premier League meetings seeing over 2.5 goals land. Even though there are new bosses in the dugout, that looks a trend that is unlikely to change on Friday evening.

Both sides looked a little fragile defensively on opening weekend and, crucially, they each have the attacking quality to expose such weaknesses. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr were one of the division’s deadliest combinations last term, while little needs to be said about the firepower City possess in Erling Haaland and co.

Despite their struggles, City still created 2.25 worth of expected goals against Bournemouth, while Palace’s blank on Merseyside is misleading too, given they were just shy of 2.00 xG themselves.

Both teams to score is a tempting angle at the same price too, though this alternative covers the 3-0 win instead of a 1-1 draw, which I’d consider to be more on the table given City’s class edge.

Nico O’Reilly anytime goalscorer - 9/2 (Sky Bet)

For a bigger-priced play, City’s roaming left-back Nico O’Reilly makes some appeal at 9/2 to open his account for the season in South London.

The England international has been a revelation for the Citizens over the last 18 months, breaking into a star-studded side under Pep Guardiola and quickly earning the legendary tactician’s trust with impressive contributions in both defence and attack.

O’Reilly found the net an impressive nine times in all competitions last term, including a brace in the Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal. It’s not just his marauding down the left flank that sees him take up promising positions either, with his outstanding aerial presence also utilised by England at this summer’s World Cup.

The versatile youngster’s charging runs were one of City’s bright sparks against Bournemouth and the fact he could easily end up with a central midfield berth here too makes the anytime scorer odds of significant appeal.

Matt Hill’s best bets for Crystal Palace vs Manchester City - Friday August 28th 2026

3pts - Over 2.5 match goals - 4/6 (various)

1pt - Nico O’Reilly anytime goalscorer - 9/2 (Sky Bet)

Total staked - 4pts