Pep Guardiola makes five changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Spurs last weekend as the Blues look to book their place in the last 16 of the FA Cup.
Starting XI and bench
Caballero, Sagna, Kompany, Kolarov, Clichy, Yaya Toure, Delph, Silva, Sterling, Sane, G Jesus
Subs: Bravo, Zabaleta, Fernando, Nolito, De Bruyne, Stones, Navas
Not taking part…
Sergio Aguero has a minor knock and isn’t available for today’s game.
Fernandinho serves the last of his four-match suspension this afternoon and Ilkay Gundogan remains side-lined for some time while Nicolas Otamendi and Kelechi Iheanacho are rested for today’s fixture.
Skipper returns…
Could today be the start of Kompany’s season?
The Belgian limped off against Crystal Palace in November and hasn’t featured since, making just five appearances all season.
A good solid 90 minutes could be pivotal for both Kompany and the team – so fingers crossed his injury nightmare will be confined to history after today’s game.
Delph back
Fabian Delph makes his first start for five months as he, too, looks to end a miserable period of injuries. A solid performance for the England man and he could play a large part for City in the months that remain.
Speed and youthful verve
City’s forward line contains 19, 21 and a 22-year-old with David Silva pulling the strings in the middle of the expected 4-2-3-1 formation.
Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling and quick, direct and skilful and if the Blues play on the counter-attack, this stellar trio could pick apart Palace – but Sam Allardyce may look to play a containing game with speedy counter-attacks himself.
Palace line-up
