Manchester City vs Crystal Palace betting tips: Back dangerous Doku to net again
There’s an important clash at the top of the Premier League this evening, as Manchester City look to keep up the pressure on leaders Arsenal when they host Crystal Palace.
Odds Now’s Matt Hill takes a closer look at the Etihad clash and gives his best wagers.
Winner - Manchester City 1/5, Draw 7/1, Crystal Palace 14/1
Over 3.5 goals - Yes 10/11, No 10/11
Both Teams To Score - Yes, 17/20, No 11/10
First Goalscorer - Erling Haaland, 23/10, Omar Marmoush 5/1, Antoine Semenyo 11/2, Phil Foden 7/1, Rayan Cherki 7/1, Jeremy Doku 9/1, Tijjani Reinders 10/1, Jean-Phillippe Mateta 12/1, Nico O’Reilly 12/1, Jorgen Strand Larsen 14/1, 16/1 BAR
Prices correct as of midday on Wednesday May 13th 2026
In the eyes of many, this season’s Premier League title race was all but settled last weekend, when a controversial VAR call ruled out West Ham’s late equaliser against Arsenal – the Gunners eventually holding on for a precious 1-0 win.
Whatever you thought of that rather surreal end to affairs in East London, the reality it leaves us with is Mikel Arteta’s leaders two wins away from a first title in 23 years. And they won’t even need those if more Manchester City slip-ups occur between now and May 24th.
All that chasing City can do now is take nine points from their final three fixtures and cross their fingers. That task starts this evening against a Crystal Palace side who will, quite rightly, already have one eye on their maiden European final – a Conference League showpiece against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday, May 27th.
Palace fans probably won’t care a jot if their team lose their last three league fixtures this term, providing they deliver the goods in Leipzig a fortnight today. But City fans may be slightly more invested in the Eagles’ fate, given they host Arsenal on the top flight’s final day.
Being honest though, City only have themselves to blame for this predicament. Having done so much good work to haul themselves back into title contention, culminating with defeat of Arsenal last month, a subsequent scrappy 1-0 win over already relegated Burnley, before a potentially catastrophic 3-3 draw at Everton, were hardly the hallmarks of champions.
If Pep Guardiola’s men are to lift yet another Premier League crown later this month, it’s fair to conclude most will remember it more as a campaign where Arsenal crumbled, rather than where his side excelled.
Not that City would care, of course.
Back to the present, this evening’s visit of Palace should in theory be a comfortable night’s work for the hosts.
The Eagles took an impressive 26 points from their opening 15 Premier League fixtures this term but, as European commitments have increased, their league output has decreased markedly. In the following 20 fixtures, they have accrued only 18 points – four wins, six draws and 10 defeats.
Furthermore, eight of the 10 matches where the Londoners have picked up points have come against sides ranked 10th or lower in the table. In fact, the only top-half side they have beaten in 2026 is Brighton. That was a gritty 1-0 win away to their rivals in February, where the Seagulls were well under par. To call it an uninspiring record would be an understatement.
You can’t blame Oliver Glasner for prioritising the Conference League, really. There’s shades of Ange Postecoglou in his approach, effectively sacrificing league form in a quest for continental glory. Like it did for Spurs, that risky approach looks set to pay off. And just like Postecoglou, Glasner will not be in his post come next season, though this time it will be of the manager’s own accord.
We can also expect rotation from the visitors here. Glasner, when asked if he would make changes in these upcoming games despite potential ramifications for the title race, simply pointed out that he is not on the payroll of either Arsenal or Manchester City and can do as he sees fit. A fair point!
All things considered, bettors must be leaning towards a relatively comfortable evening for the Citizens here.
For all the reasons outlined, goals look on the menu here but the market has certainly priced that in, so it may pay for punters to instead hone in on the goalscorer market.
One of the shining lights for City in recent weeks has been enigmatic Belgian winger Jeremy Doku, who is enjoying his most prolific patch to date in a City shirt.
The 23-year-old has four goals in his last five starts since returning from a calf injury and appears to be brimming with confidence. His late equaliser at Everton could yet prove a crucial one, too.
Doku’s tricky feet and ability to get to the byline have traditionally made him a more appealing prospect in the assists market – and there would also usually be trepidation around how many minutes he would be given from Guardiola before being withdrawn.
However, having completed the full 90 minutes in City’s last three fixtures, it appears the wide man is very much in his manager’s good books and against a likely rotated and unmotivated opponent, this looks a fine opportunity for him to extend his superb scoring streak.
We can certainly bank on him to be firing off efforts. Doku had two attempts ion goal n four straight fixtures against Chelsea, Arsenal, Burnley and Southampton. He then registered three against Brentford and, last time out, four strikes against Everton. Quite simply, this is a player who is feeling untouchable right now.
The best approach seems to take Doku as a core bet at net anytime at 12/5 with Sporting Index and top up with a smaller stake on the first scorer market at a juicy 9/1.
2.5pts - Jeremy Doku to score anytime - 12/5 (Sporting Index)
0.5pt - Jeremy Doku first goalscorer - 9/1 (Star Sports)
Total staked - 3pts
Prices correct as of midday on Wednesday May 13th 2026
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
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