Manchester City take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park this weekend as they aim to make it back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since mid-to-late October.
It was finally a victory for Pep Guardiola and his players last time out as they defeated Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium in relatively straightforward fashion, with goals from Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jeremy Doku securing all three points.
The aim of successive top-flight wins precedes a huge week for Manchester City across competitions, as they take on Juventus in Turin on matchday six of the UEFA Champions League, before hosting Manchester United in the derby on Sunday afternoon.
Crystal Palace are in a relatively strong run of form coming into Saturday afternoon’s meeting with the champions, having drawn successive matches against Aston Villa and Newcastle before defeating Ipswich Town away from home.
Manchester City do however, once again, face a worsening fitness and injury situation with six players ruled out of this one, and Manuel Akanji facing a late assessment over whether he could play any part in the contest.
Rodri (knee) and Oscar Bobb (leg fracture) remain the long-term absentees, whilst Mateo Kovacic (unknown) and John Stones (foot) have been joined by Phil Foden (bronchitis) and Nathan Ake (muscular) following the midweek clash with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
Ahead of kick-off at Selhurst Park, here is how both Oliver Glasner and Pep Guardiola have lined up their respective Crystal Palace and Manchester City sides in Premier League action!
Crystal Palace
Starting XI: Henderson; Muñoz, Chalobah, Lacroix, Guéhi, Mitchell; Sarr, Hughes, Lerma, Eze; Mateta.
Substitutes: Turner, Ward, Clyne, Richards, Schlupp, Kamada, Doucouré, Devenny, Nketiah.
Manchester City
Starting XI: Ortega Moreno; Walker (C), Dias, Gvardiol, Lewis; Gundogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo; Savinho, Haaland, Nunes.
Substitutes: Ederson, Carson, Simpson-Pusey, Wilson-Esbrand, Wright, O’Reilly, McAtee, Grealish, Doku.