Manchester City make the trip to South London as Enzo Maresca looks to build on his first Premier League and competitive win as manager on Friday night.
Rayan Cherki has already started!
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After a rousing start to life in the Premier League under new manager Enzo Maresca on Sunday afternoon, supporters were left with much to digest from the first competitive taste of Manchester City football without the legendary Pep Guardiola since 2016.
However, it seemed poignant that the Catalan's name would still have an influence, with the newly and aptly named 'Pep Guardiola Stand' hosting both of City's goals - courtesy of both Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol - which saw the blues complete a late comeback to beat a spirited Bournemouth side on the Premier League's opening weekend.
It was Marcus Tavernier who stole into an empty column in the penalty area to provide a back-post finish and get the visitors purring in the first-half, and leaving Manchester City struggling to answer the questions posed by the Cherries.
The freshly shaven head of Erling Haaland was unable to pounce on two big chances, but made way for defender-turned-central midfielder Marc Guehi to latch on to substitute Rayan Cherki's delivery, minutes before the Frenchman poked Josko Gvardiol through for Manchester City's injury-time winner.
So, without the pristine and spotless motion the Etihad Stadium has witnessed across the past decade, Enzo Maresca showed he can deploy an inventiveness to help carve out vital sets of points in difficult affairs. And the Italian will be looking towards a simpler route to victory when facing Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Friday night - his first away dugout as City manager.
The Eagles fell to defeat at the Hill Dickinson as Everton ran out 2-0 victors on Saturday afternoon, with new manager Pierre Sage yet to record his first win as Crystal Palace boss.
Ahead of the clash in South London later this week, here is all you need to know ahead of Manchester City's trip to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Match Details
Manchester City's second match of the 2026/27 Premier League season will be against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Friday 28 August, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 GMT.
Match Officials
Andy Madley will officiate the match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City on Friday night. The last time he held the whistle in a match involving the blues was a 1-2 defeat to Aston Villa on the final day of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
The full list of match officials can be found below!
Andy Madley has been appointed as the on-field match referee for Manchester City's second game of the 2026/27 Premier League season, as they travel to face Crystal Palace in south London.cityxtra.co.ukMatch Officials: Andy Madley to referee Crystal Palace vs Man City (Premier League)
Andy Madley has been appointed as the on-field match referee for Manchester City's second game of the 2026/27 Premier League season, as they travel to face Crystal Palace in south London.
Team News
Jeremy Doku's calf blow picked up in Manchester City's Community Shield defeat at the hands of Arsenal was confirmed by Enzo Maresca as cause for two to three weeks on the sidelines, and having missed the opening day fixture against Bournemouth, the Belgian is expected to remain out of contention for this affair.
While still awaiting official confirmation surrounding the transfer of Omar Marmoush to Tottenham in light of Savinho's exit to North London, it is accepted that the Egyptian will have signed for the club before City's trip to Selhurst Park - despite being named among the substitutes against Bournemouth.
Tottenham have reached an agreement to sign Omar Marmoush on an initial season-long loan from Manchester City, according to a new report.cityxtra.co.ukTottenham Agree Omar Marmoush Loan Deal With Man City Containing Purchase Clause
Tottenham have reached an agreement to sign Omar Marmoush on an initial season-long loan from Manchester City, according to a new report.
On the outgoings front, there also appears to be progression in Newcastle United's pursuit of Manchester City midfielder Nico Gonzalez, who himself is keen on a switch to St James' Park in the coming days.
Staying with transfers, City's pending deal for Moroccan teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi is moving at speed, and the blues will hope to have the 18-year-old available for selection in Friday's match after completing a €100 million move from French side Lille.
Crystal Palace will be without Moroccan defender Chadi Riad who continues to nurse a knee injury, along with doubts around marquee man Ismaila Sarr - who picked up a reported groin injury - and reported interest from Turkish outfit Galatasaray.
Press Conference
Enzo Maresca is due to speak to the media on Thursday afternoon.
Full coverage and quotes will be available live on X (Twitter), and shortly afterwards on cityxtra.co.uk.
Refresh for updates.
Head to Head
Manchester City's acquaintance with Crystal Palace dates back to January 1921, where a 2-0 loss saw them seeking revenge. Five years later, in 1926, the Blues ran out victorious in a staggering 11-4 win in an FA Cup tie at Maine Road.
The clubs have faced off a total of 76 times over the years, with City taking the lion's share, with 41 wins to Palace's 18 - a Manchester City domination in this fixture which has included excellent wins such as a 5-0 home victory on the road to a 100-point season in 2017/18 which saw goals from Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, and Fabian Delph.
However, only four of those Eagles wins have come in the period since 2002 - the most famous of which being the 2025 FA Cup final, when Eberechi Eze's first-half winner etched Crystal Palace's name onto the trophy for the first time in history.
Statistics
Last season in the Premier League, Manchester City led the way on the goalscoring front, netting 74 goals across the season - including 27 from the eventual Golden Boot winner, Erling Haaland.
Crystal Palace were quite the opposite in the final third, with only Wolves and Sunderland managing less than their 40 goals with 26 and 38 respectively.
City, while flattering to deceive at times in their opening match, dominated proceedings against Bournemouth as far as statistics were concerned; 584 successful passes made up an 89% completion rate, paired with an xG count of 2.25.
Crystal Palace move into their second consecutive campaign competing in a European competition, albeit under the guidance of new manager, Pierre Sage. The Frenchman recorded a 2.20 points per match on average during his 40-match reign at RC Lens.
How to watch
Viewers in the United Kingdom will find Friday's match available on NOW TV, Sky Go and the Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League channels, along with free radio coverage on BBC Radio Manchester.
The match will be shown in The US on USA network.
Check out the TV listings in full here!
City Xtra will have full live coverage available on X, Facebook and Instagram throughout the matchday, with content also on cityxtra.co.uk!