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20th Dec 2014 | Premier League

Where Did All The Strikers Go?

City will be without Aguero, Dzeko and Jovetic. Palace miss Chamakh but have realistically hopes of emulating the 0-0 draw they picked up at White Hart Lane in their last away game.

To the bookies this can be quickly scratched off as another straightforward home win for the resurgent champions, but on closer inspection it could prove to be a real battle.

Since Sergio Aguero picked up his injury, Manchester City have won both their league matches 1-0 and they generally looked uninspired at Leicester last weekend. To make matters worse for Manuel Pellegrini, he faces Palace without any recognised strikers to call upon; Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic join Aguero on the sidelines.

Last season the Eagles were unfortunate to lose 1-0 at the Etihad after Dzeko saved City’s bacon and Joe Hart pulled off a series of saves. Neil Warnock can call upon a number of the same players this afternoon and Palace will fancy their chances of getting a surprise result.

A draw would fit into that category, but the Londoners’ problem remains scoring goals. On Saturday that may be the case for both managers so backing ‘no goalscorer’ at best odds of 16/1 (Betfred) must be a bargain. That way way we could still get a big payday if the fixture is settled by an own goal.

Odds correct at time of publishing: 08:54 20th Dec, 2014 but subject to change

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