Sky Sports Coverage: Kelly Cates Hosts Man City vs Crystal Palace with Rob Hawthorne and Alan Smith

Match date: 13 May 2026

Sky Sports Coverage: Kelly Cates Hosts Man City vs Crystal Palace with Rob Hawthorne and Alan Smith

Football fans across the UK are in for a treat this evening as Sky Sports Main Event HD and Sky Sports Main Event UHD bring live coverage of Manchester City versus Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Kick-off at the Etihad Stadium is at 20:00 UK time, with presenter Kelly Cates leading the broadcast. A familiar face on Sky Sports, Cates has built a stellar reputation for her engaging style, having previously worked at ITV and Channel 4, where she covered major events like the Women’s World Cup. Joining her in the studio are pundits Micah Richards and Jamie Redknapp, whose insights promise to dissect every tactical nuance.

On commentary duty, Rob Hawthorne will be in the booth alongside Alan Smith. Hawthorne, one of Sky’s most experienced voices, has narrated countless Premier League clashes since joining the network in the early 2000s, his smooth delivery a staple for viewers. Smith, the former Arsenal and Leicester striker born in 1962, brings decades of top-flight experience, having scored over 150 goals in his playing career before transitioning seamlessly into co-commentary, known for his sharp, no-nonsense analysis. Reporter Patrick Davison will provide pitch-side updates, ensuring fans get the latest from Manchester.

Manchester City, sitting second in the table with 74 points, are chasing the title after a 3-0 home win over Brentford. Pep Guardiola’s side have won four straight home games across all competitions and boast an impressive record of 72 goals scored and just 32 conceded. They’ve dominated recent head-to-heads against Palace, winning two of the last three, including a 3-0 victory at Selhurst Park earlier this season. Six of City’s last seven matches have seen over 2.5 goals, suggesting another high-scoring affair at the Etihad, where they hold the second-best home record in the league.

For Crystal Palace, 14th with 44 points, safety is now mathematically secured following their 2-2 draw with Everton. The Eagles have lost three of their last four away games but showed resilience in that comeback. Last season’s FA Cup triumph adds a footnote of glory, yet this trip to Manchester presents a stern test. With 38 goals scored and 44 conceded, they’ll aim to frustrate City’s attack, though the stats favour the hosts in possession (64.2% average) and corners (8.3 per game).

Sky Sports’ coverage extends beyond the live action. Sky Sports News features Alan Smith alongside reporters Ben Ransom, Gary Cotterill, and Patrick Davison for build-up and reaction. Highlights will air on Sky Sports later, with Hawthorne and Smith calling the key moments. For radio fans, talkSPORT offers Adrian Durham presenting, Sam Matterface on commentary with Lucy Ward, while BBC Radio 5 Live has pundit Sam Lee and reporter Mike Minay. Manchester City’s own City+ stream features Alistair Mann and Nicky Weaver, the ex-City keeper turned analyst.

Elsewhere, the world feed with Conor McNamara and Andy Townsend powers many international broadcasts, including beIN Sports MENA with presenter Aarran Summers, pundits Nicky Summerbee (ex-City winger) and Philippe Senderos, and reporter Andy Kerr. Sky’s star-studded team, including Micah Richards—the ex-City and Aston Villa defender famed for his infectious enthusiasm—and Jamie Redknapp, whose Liverpool career and punditry pedigree shine through, will break down if City can close the five-point gap to leaders Arsenal.

Predictions lean towards a Manchester City 3-0 win, per experts, but Palace’s grit could make it closer. Tune into Sky Sports for unparalleled coverage of this crucial Premier League encounter. For more on the Premier League season, visit the official match page.

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Article generated: 13 May 2026, 20:01 GMT