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MANCHESTER. — It is a signal of Manchester City’s inconsistency that they have not managed to string together two successive English Premier League victories since mid-October.

Yet it is a sign of the division’s unpredictability this season that despite this, Manuel Pellegrini’s side remain just three points off the top as they go into today’s home match against Crystal Palace.

Wednesday’s 0-0 draw at home to mid-table Everton has not proved as costly as it might have done, with leaders Arsenal also dropping points in a 3-3 draw at Liverpool on the same night.

In addition, City kept a second successive clean sheet, suggesting that their defence is finding some semblance of stability in the continued absence of injured captain Vincent Kompany.

Kompany is likely to be out for another month as his club try to get to the root of the calf trouble that has restricted him to just three league starts since City won 1-0 at Palace on September 12.

With fellow centre-back Eliaquim Mangala recovering from a hamstring problem, Pellegrini may continue with Martin Demichelis alongside Nicolas Otamendi, though Bacary Sagna could move across from full-back if required.

Pellegrini has indicated that he will make some changes for the Palace match, which kicks off less than 66 hours after Wednesday’s game finished, giving little time for his players to recover. — AFP.