City v Palace ..... Sat 16th March 2002

keegan
By Andy Leggott
March 15 2002

City will be looking to consolidate their 2 point lead in a rare 3pm Saturday game. Crystal Palace are the visitors and City will be looking for revenge for a 2-1 defeat at Selhurst Park back in December.

It has been a measure of City's form since, that they have lost only 1 other league game since that defeat on December 8th. Palace were looking like being promotion rivals earlier in the season, but have recently slipped to 9th in the table, 6 points adrift of the play off places.
Kevin Keegan has indicated that he will make changes for this one, firstly to have a look at some of his fringe players and secondly to keep the squad fresh with the games coming thick and fast. Berkovic and Wanchope are still ruled out by injury although Steve Howey is fit again. Expect Sun Jihai to get a game, maybe replacing Wiekens, and a possible start for Macken at the expense of Goater. The midfield will probably remain the same, Tiatto continuing to cover for Berkovic. New loan signing Simon Royce will provide goalkeeping cover on the bench.
Palace should provide reasonable opposition, although Trevor Francis visits to Maine Road this season are far from successful, with their main danger being the strike force of Morrison and Freedman. It's a first welcome back for Danny Granville since his departure but I believe not a happy return ..... mcfconline predicts 4-1 to City.