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Early team news: Key defender absent for Crystal Palace vs Manchester City (Premier League)

**Manchester City travel to London to take on Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace as they look to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time since October.**

City have a rare opportunity to further close the gap on Liverpool this weekend to just six points before Arne Slot’s side next play in the top-flight, after their away trip to face Everton at Goodison Park was postponed due to the effects of Storm Darragh.

Pep Guardiola and his players brought an end to their seven-game winless streak across competitions when they defeated Nottingham Forest via a convincing 3-0 scoreline on Wednesday night thanks to goals from Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jeremy Doku.

As for this weekend’s opponents in Crystal Palace, Oliver Glasner’s side are unbeaten in their last three matches, drawing away to Aston Villa, before being held by Newcastle at home and defeating Ipswich Town at Portman Road last time out.

Guardiola’s injury situation does not get any easier this time around either unfortunately, with Rodri and Oscar Bobb joined by John Stones and Mateo Kovacic on the treatment table, whilst Nathan Ake is ruled out through a muscular problem and Phil Foden via bronchitis.

The ever-dependable central defensive option Manuel Akanji is subject to a late fitness test over whether he can participate in any of Saturday afternoon’s contest at Selhurst Park, after he was withdrawn at half-time of the midweek clash.

Ahead of the confirmed team news from Selhurst Park this weekend, some initial information has began to filter throughout social media from journalists and sources regarding Manchester City’s starting line-up.

According to the [information of the Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski](https://x.com/spbajko/status/1865389549943205943), Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City squad will be without Manuel Akanji for the trip to Selhurst Park, with the Swiss defender absent from the travelling squad that arrived at the stadium.

Oliver Glasner and Pep Guardiola are expected to confirmed their respective Crystal Palace and Manchester City starting line-ups around 13:45 (UK) on Saturday afternoon.

**Refresh for updates.**

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