Leroy Sane’s brace against the Baggies sees him retain his starting berth, while up front, Sergio Aguero earns the nod ahead of Gabriel Jesus.
Starting XI:
Ederson, Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Mendy, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, D Silva, Sterling, Sane, Aguero
Subs: Bravo, Yaya Toure, Bernardo, G Jesus, Mangala, Danilo, Delph
Probable tactics
Expect City to go 4-3-3 based on personnel selected.
Raheem Sterling and Sane should provide width either side of Sergio Aguero, with Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva roaming behind the forward three and Fernandinho holding the fort in the anchor role.
Sergio record?
Can Sergio Aguero equal or better Eric Brook’s 78-year record against Crystal Palace?
If Kun bags two goals he will move level with Brook on 177, a hat-trick will write his name into the Club history books as the greatest goal-scorer ever to wear sky blue.
Palace starting XI:
Here’s the #CPFC 🦅 team to take on @ManCity!#MCICRY pic.twitter.com/ha6JdUZUel
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) September 23, 2017
The visitors arrive at the Etihad with no Premier League points or goals this season, though a welcome 1-0 midweek Carabao Cup win over Huddersfield will have pleased new manager Roy Hodgson.
Palace are likely to start with basics and try and stop shipping goals, so expect a more organised and disciplined performance this afternoon.
With games against United and Chelsea to follow, Hodgson may well be telling his troops that little is expected in terms of return in the next three matches and to go out and enjoy themselves and despite their current plight, it’s worth noting they have played much better than their points tally suggests.
