Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson reckons Manchester City will thrash Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Eagles travel to the Etihad looking to end a run of five successive league defeats.

In contract to Palace, Pep Guardiola’s men have made a blistering start to the new season.

And former Arsenal star Merson thinks their red hot form will continue against the Premier League’s basement boys.

He said: “This is Roy Hodgson's sort of match. I was worried about the Southampton fixture when he arrived because he's not very good at setting up teams to win. He's not the type of manager to chase a result.

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“He's more tactical in terms of trying to stop his opposition playing. That's where he is more comfortable, so these three games - against City, Man Utd and Chelsea - are probably more suited.

“Having said that, City are playing in a different league at the moment. Look what they did to a Watford team that seems pretty good this year.

“Pep Guardiola's side look irresistible and even if they goal 1-0 down, they just bring on the big guns and go for it.”