Premier League Gameweek 2 opens under the Selhurst Park lights on Friday 28 August 2026 (20:00 BST) as Crystal Palace host Manchester City. Palace arrive after a 2–0 defeat at Everton on the opening weekend; City opened at home to Bournemouth and will lean on Erling Haaland and a revamped back line featuring Marc Guéhi facing his former club.
Crystal Palace: form after GW1
Oliver Glasner's Palace lost 0–2 at Goodison Park in GW1 and need a response at Selhurst. Mateta and Sarr lead the line; Wharton and Hughes anchor midfield. Guéhi is unavailable against parent club City, so Richards and Riad start at the back.
Crystal Palace Predicted Starting XI & Lineup · 4-3-3
Official lineups confirmed 1 hour before kick-off.
Manchester City: form after GW1
Pep Guardiola's City travel south with Donnarumma, Alexander-Arnold, Dias and Haaland all central to the XI. Away at Selhurst is never straightforward — Palace press well at home — but Haaland's record against mid-table blocks makes him the default captaincy conversation for GW2.
Where this one gets decided
Palace will sit in a mid-block and look to counter through Sarr and Mateta; City's width from Doku and Foden should stretch the Eagles. Set pieces could decide a tight first half.
How these two have met before
City have won four of the last five league meetings at Selhurst Park, though Palace held them 2–2 in the most recent visit. Haaland has scored in three consecutive PL games against Palace.
Fantasy picks for this match
- Erling Haaland (Man City, FWD): premium captain away; Palace conceded two at Everton GW1.
- Marc Guéhi (Man City, DEF): if selected, DefCon upside against former club (cannot play for Palace).
- Dean Henderson (Palace, GK): save potential if City dominate possession.
- Phil Foden (Man City, MID): creative link between Haaland and wide runners.
- Predictor: Manchester City to win 2–1 or 2–0.
My prediction
City's quality should tell after the hour mark. Prediction: Crystal Palace 1–2 Manchester City.