James McAtee is handed a first Premier League start for City as manager Pep Guardiola makes three changes for Saturday’s latest Premier League clash at home to Crystal Palace.
Academy graduate McAtee, along with Rico Lewis and Nico, all come into the starting eleven from the side that drew 0-0 at Manchester United last week.
Matheus Nunes and Bernardo both revert to the bench while Phil Foden, who also started at Old Trafford, is not fully fit and doesn’t feature in today's matchday squad.
Teams
CITY XI: Ederson, Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Nico, Kovacic, Gundogan, De Bruyne (C), McAtee, Marmoush
Subs: Ortega, Grealish, Doku, Bernardo, Reis, Savinho, Nunes, Khusanov, Bobb
CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Lerma, Mitchell, Wharton, Kamada, Sarr, Eze, Mateta
Subs: Matthews, Ward, Franca, Clyne, Hughes, Chilwell, Umeh, Devenny, Kporha
Formation and tactics
Ederson will be the familiar figure in goal with the Brazilian keeper shielded by a back four of Rico Lewis, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Nico O’Reilly
Nico is set to be in the midfield engine room alongside Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan.
Omar Marmoush will be part of City’s forward triumvirate with skipper Kevin De Bruyne and McAtee expected to provide support up front.
However such is City’s tactical flexibility and versatility that formation and deployment of resources could be subject to change!
Eagles test
With seven games of the Premier League season remaining, every match will now carry extra significance as the battle to secure Champions League football hots up.
And there is no doubt that the visit of Palace represents a particularly challenging environment.
Under the stewardship of Oliver Glasner the Eagles have become one of the top flight’s toughest nuts to crack – and their recent record here at the Etihad makes for impressive reading.
After having lost each of their first six Premier League visits to the Etihad Stadium, Palace have been defeated in just two of their last six visits to City in the league (W2 D2).
They also make the visit North on the back of a fine run of form, having gone unbeaten in their last seven games and having lost just twice since Christmas.
Furthermore, just like City, Palace have also booked a place in the FA Cup semi-finals where they will meet Aston Villa later this month.
Proof positive – if any were needed – that Pep Guardiola’s side will need to be on their mettle today.
Final countdown
In looking ahead to the visit of Palace – and that battle to secure a place in the Champions League next term Pep Guardiola got to the heart of the matter as always.
There is extra wriggle room in the battle at the top with fifth place in the Premier League now also carrying a ticket through to Europe’s elite tournament next term.
However, looking ahead to today and the battles ahead, Pep was in no doubt as ...
