1 Sergio ready for lift-off?
He can do no wrong in the eyes of City fans but Sergio Aguero has been criticised by Argentine media in recent weeks and has been sub in both the Albiceleste’s last two World Cup Qualifiers and wasn’t even used in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Colombia.
So fierce has been the media vitriol towards the Argentina players that they refused to give interviews in the run up to Tuesday’s game. Now Aguero is back with City and, for a player with 80 caps and 33 goals for his country, perhaps smarting a little from his treatment back home.
Where better to take any frustrations out on the pitch – and Crystal Palace could be the perfect place to show his national team boss what he’s been missing?
2 South Americans buoyant
City’s sizeable South American contingent all returned to Manchester with no reported injury issues and all will be on something of a high after winning their final qualifiers before heading back to England.
Pablo Zabaleta, like Aguero, may feel a little aggrieved after being dropped to the bench for the game against Colombia, but will be pleased his country are back on track after a disappointing 3-0 loss to Brazil.
Nicolas Otamendi played in both qualifiers and should resume at the centre of defence at Selhurst Park.
will be a on a real high after captaining his country for the first time and enjoying back-to-back wins with Brazil who now look certainties to win the group.
Claudio Bravo recovered from a minor knock that forced him off against Colombia, but he resumed his place in goal for the 3-1 win over Uruguay and saved a Luis Suarez penalty during a fine performance.
Whether all six play considering their travelling itinerary remains to be seen, but given the midweek results, all will want to start against Palace.
3 Bac with a bang?
Bacary Sagna could return for City on Saturday after recovering from a muscle injury, giving the Blues’ defence a much needed boost.
The right-back duties have fallen squarely on Zabaleta’s shoulders over the past six weeks and Sagna, rested and recharged with no international commitments during the break, could get the nod.
The visit to South London is probably a week or two too soon for the recovering Fabian Delph, however.
4 Flanks for everything
Whoever plays in City’s defence on Saturday, they can expect a busy afternoon from Palace’s flying wingers.
Looking to expose any defensive frailties, Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend can be match winners on their day and will come at City from the kick-off.
The powerful Christian Benteke also presents a sizeable challenge for John Stones and Otamendi – or will skipper Vincent Kompany get the nod against his Belgium team-mate?
Whoever plays, this will be a hard-fought encounter and City will need to be on their mettle against Alan Pardew’s unpredictable side.
5 Park LIfe
There was a time when City couldn’t buy a win at Selhurst Park and between 1991 and 2004 the Blues failed to win any of the seven visits to Palace.
Times have changed and this fixture has been a largely happy trip in recent years with four wins from the last five visits.
The last away defeat was in April 2015 but home and away, the Blues have won 10 out of the last 11 meetings with the Eagles, scoring 25 goals and conceding just five - and it’s worth noting the Selhurst Park meetings have produced just one draw in 24 years.
