Though they would still mathematically be able to catch the Gunners, it would need Mikel Arteta's side to lose both of their remaining matches against already relegated Burnley, and Palace, with City needing to also win against both Bournemouth and Aston Villa.
City unbeaten in the league at home since August
Pep Guardiola isn't likely to be contemplating such a scenario in any event, particularly given that, although City lost to the Eagles in last season's FA Cup final, they have remained unbeaten in their last eight league games against them (W5, D3), dating back to October 2021.
City are also unbeaten at home in 2025/26 since a loss in August against Tottenham (W13, D3). In all of the subsequent league matches at the Etihad since that Spurs defeat, they've opened the scoring, too, so Palace will need to be on their guard from the first whistle.
Indeed, City's 38 first-half goals scored this season are the most of any team in the English top flight, whilst their nine conceded before the break is the least in the division.
If supporters of the club wanted another omen to hang on to, the hosts haven't lost in their last 23 evening kick-offs, though they have drawn five of the eight that they've played after 7pm in this calendar year.
Haaland loves playing against Palace
Erling Haaland certainly enjoys his encounters with the South Londoners, having netted in all five games that he's played against them as a City player.
The only players in Premier League history to score in their first six games against the same opponent are Mo Salah and Raheem Sterling, both doing so against Bournemouth.
Jeremy Doku will also need to be watched closely, given that he's played himself into an incredible run of form of late. His five goals and two assists in the last six games are as many goal contributions as he'd managed in his previous 24 games for the Cityzens (one goal, six assists).
Palace have their own hit-men on whom they'll be relying to get on the scoresheet, of course.
Ismaila Sarr has nine goals in his last 10 starts for the club, and 20 goals in the current season is the best output by any player at the club since Glenn Murray in the 2012/13 campaign.
Jean-Philippe Mateta will be looking to make history in the fixture as, if he gets on the scoresheet, he will have become only the second Palace player, after Wilfried Zaha, to score 50 Premier League goals for the club.
Of the 49 he's scored already, just 17 have come away from Selhurst Park, though, and only two of the 11 he's plundered in 2025/26 have come outside South London.
Palace have scored twice on their last four visits to the Etihad
Interestingly, the visitors have caused problems for their hosts at the Etihad of late, having scored two goals on each of their last four visits. However, they have only gone on to win one of those four games (D1, L2).
Furthermore, only City themselves and Arsenal have more away wins this season than a Palace side who have only drawn twice on the road this season, too.
The Eagles will have to go some to stay in the game, however.
Guardiola's side is not only the top-scoring side in the division in 25/26 (72), but they also lead the way for total passes (20,582), and pass accuracy (89%).
Not to mention they're second for total shots attempted (549), shots on target (193) and shot conversion rate (18%).
Former Palace captain, Marc Guehi, is the player who has made the most total passes for the Cityzens so far this season, with 2,126 attempted.
Expect goals leading up to half-time
Palace are at the opposite end of the spectrum as their pass accuracy of 78% is the worst in the division, whilst a conversion rate of 13% is the second-worst return of all teams in the top-flight.
Expect goals in the 15 minutes preceding half-time, given that's when City score the most (20), and Palace concede the most (17).
With City only having lost the one game when scoring the opening goal this season, too, it's evident that the visitors have to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and get on the scoresheet early if they want to give themselves any chance of getting at least a point from this game.
In terms of injuries, Cheick Doucoure and Eddie Nketiah are definitely out for Palace, with late fitness tests for Evann Guessand and Borna Sosa.
City will be without Rodri and Josko Gvardiol, whilst Abdukodir Khusanov also faces a late test to determine his availability.
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