There were some dramatic encounters in the Premier League last weekend, and matchday 2 promises to be just as enthralling.
My best Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City predictions point towards the tie, and I expect the Over 2.5 Goals barrier to be broken.
Read on for my free betting picks for Friday, Aug. 28, with kickoff at 3.00 p.m. ET on USA Network.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City picks and predictions
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Who will win Crystal Palace vs Manchester City: Draw
Kalshi probability: 23%
The big concern for both managers is that there were more negatives than positives in the performances that these two teams produced on the EPL's opening matchday last weekend.
En route to losing 2-0 at Everton, Crystal Palace looked every bit as incapable of turning periods of possession into goals as they did for most of last season.
Meanwhile, Manchester City spluttered, stuttered, and stumbled during an unconvincing home performance vs. Bournemouth, somehow securing a 2-1 triumph via an injury-time winner from defender Josko Gvardiol.
The more optimistic City fans will point out that their team was unbeaten on all seven away trips to London (W4-D3-L0) last season. That is a stat that should give new manager Enzo Maresca and his players some confidence.
Palace’s home form was excellent (W5-D4-L1) during the second-half of last season. Their ability to avoid defeat — despite some obvious and chronic flaws in their overall performance standard — should not be underestimated.
In the end, there are too few reasons to back either team to win, but enough to suggest that both can avoid defeat.
The draw is my top selection on the match at 23%, and I’d play it up to 30%.
TOP PICK
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Over/Under pick: Over 2.5
Kalshi probability: 58%
Anyone who watched Lens under their manager Pierre Sage in France’s top division last season knows that he is an instinctively attack-minded manager.
Twenty-two of Lens’ 34 (65%) Ligue 1 matches during the 2025-26 season had three or more goals. Now in charge at Crystal Palace, Sage will install the same adventurous style of play.
Nine of Palace’s last 12 EPL games have had Over 2.5 Goals, and that high-scoring trend looks likely to continue. Sage will tell his players to take the risks necessary to win, rather than instructing them to sit back and play for a point. The hosts’ bold approach should lead to a game with scoring chances for both teams.
Manchester City have the quality to exploit gaps when they open up in the home defense, but their own defensive frailties are a concern for the visitors. City looked deeply vulnerable in front of their own goal when losing 3-0 to Arsenal in the Community Shield a fortnight ago, and conceded again vs. Bournemouth last weekend.
The market says Over 2.5 Goals is a 58% shot. I believe the chances of three or more goals are better than that. Play it up to 65%.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City odds
 Crystal Palace |
 Manchester City |
|
|---|---|---|
| 18% | Moneyline | 61% |
| 23% | Draw | 23% |
| Over 2.5 (58%) | Total | Under 2.5 (58%) |
Odds courtesy of Kalshi.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City opening odds
- Moneyline: Crystal Palace 18% | Manchester City 61%
- Draw: 23%
- Over/Under: Over 2.5 | Under 2.5
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
| Location | Selhurst Park, London, England |
| Date | Friday, August 28, 2026 |
| Time | 3 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC |
| Weather | Light rain expected throughout the match. |
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City key injuries
Crystal Palace: Riad CB (Out), Sarr RW (Doubtful).
Manchester City: Doku LW (Out).
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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