Ruben Dias and Riyad Mahrez return to the starting line-up as Pep Guardiola makes two changes for Manchester City’s Premier League home game against Crystal Palace.

Dias replaces the injured Nathan Ake at the heart of defence, whilst Mahrez comes in for Ilkay Gunodgan, who drops to the bench.

New signing Sergio Gomez is again among the substitutes after making his first appearance for the Club in the midweek friendly with Barcelona, but there is no place for the injured duo Jack Grealish or Kalvin Phillips.

Grealish is yet to resume full training after picking up a knock against Bournemouth, whilst Phillips was forced off with injury in the first half at the Camp Nou.

Aymeric Laporte remains sidelined as he recovers from knee surgery.

TEAMS

CITY: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Cancelo, Rodrigo, Bernardo, De Bruyne (C), Mahrez, Foden, Haaland.

SUBS: Ortega Moreno, Gundogan, Alvarez, Gomez, Palmer, Gomes, Lewis, Knight, Wilson-Esbrand.

CRYSTAL PALACE: Guaita, Ward, Guéhi, Andersen, Mitchell, Clyne, Schlupp, Doucouré, Eze, Ayew, Edouard.

SUBS: Johnstone (GK), Whitworth (GK), Richards, Hughes, Milivojević, Olise, Ebiowei, Mateta, Rodney.

Formation

Guardiola has stuck with his favoured 4-3-3 formation in the opening three games of the season and it looks as if that will be the case again today.

Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo will be in their usual full-back roles, with Dias slotting in alongside John Stones at centre-half.

Rodrigo will be in the anchorman role in midfield, behind captain Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva, who claimed a goal and an assist in a superb performance at Newcastle last weekend.

Mahrez will line-up on the right of the front three, with Phil Foden on the opposite flank, either side of centre-forward Erling Haaland.

Match stats and facts

  • Crystal Palace were the only side City failed to score against last season; we drew 0-0 at Selhurst Park.
  •  City have fallen two goals behind in three of our last five Premier League matches, but have avoided defeat in all three of those games (W1, D2).
  • We have scored at least twice in each of our last 12 Premier League matches, finding the net 40 times in the process.
  • We have only lost two of our last 54 Premier League games kicking off at 15:00 (UK) on a Saturday (W46, D6) but both have come at home against Crystal Palace.
  • Kevin de Bruyne has had an assist in four consecutive Premier League appearances. He is looking to become the first City player to assist in five matches in a row in the competition.
  • Bernardo Silva needs one more goal to reach 50 for the Club.