The winger returns to the XI after a two-game absence, with Kyle Walker, Fernandinho and Gabriel Jesus also recalled by Pep Guardiola.
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They replace Joao Cancelo, Rodrigo, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden, who all drop to a substitutes bench which includes Academy graduate Tommy Doyle, who is back in the matchday squad for the first time since self-isolating due to COVID-19.
Sergio Aguero misses out as he continues to self-isolate, whilst Nathan Ake is injured and Scott Carson, Eric Garcia and Aymeric Laporte are not fully fit.
TEAMS
CITY: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Zinchenko, Fernandinho (C), Gundogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Sterling, Jesus.
SUBS: Steffen, Rodrigo, Torres, Mendy, Mahrez, Cancelo, Foden, Delap, Doyle,
CRYSTAL PALACE: Guaita, Ward, Tomkins, Cahill, Mitchell, Townsend, Milivojevic (C), McArthur, Eze, Ayew.
SUBS: Butland, Clyne, Van Aanholt, Dann, Riedewald, Benteke, Batshuayi.
Formation and squad notes
It looks like City will kick-off in the tried and trusted 4-3-3 formation, with Jesus spearheading the forward line.
Walker replaces Cancelo at right-back, alongside Ruben Dias, John Stones and Oleksandr Zinchenko in the back four.
Fernandinho comes in for Rodrigo at the base of midfield, with Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne ahead of him and, in the front three, Sterling and Bernardo Silva could interchange on either wing as they flank Jesus.
Facts and stats
- City have won seven of our past 10 league meetings with Palace, drawing twice and losing once.
- However, we are winless in our past two home league matches against Hodgson’s side - Guardiola has never gone three consecutive home league games without beating the same opponent in his managerial career.
- We are on a 14-match unbeaten run in all competitions and have won our previous seven games.
- City have conceded just three goals in 21 hours and 25 minutes during that period.
- We have taken 20 points from the last 24 available to us in the Premier League.
- Guardiola‘s men have kept five clean sheets in eight home fixtures so far in 2020-21.
- We have 32 points after our opening 16 league fixtures, which is the same total as at this stage of last season.
- We have only lost one of their past 21 home games in all competitions, winning 18 and drawing twice.
- Kevin De Bruyne has been involved in eight goals in 10 league appearances against Palace. He has scored twice and provided six assists.
- The next assist by De Bruyne will be his 100th in all competitions for the Club
