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Combined Best XI: Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City

By Larry Henry

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Raheem Sterling (R) of Man City looks to break away from Martin Kelly of Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on November 19, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Raheem Sterling (R) of Man City looks to break away from Martin Kelly of Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on November 19, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 19: Kevin DeBruyne (R) of Man City looks to break away from Christian Benteke of Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on November 19, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 19: Kevin DeBruyne (R) of Man City looks to break away from Christian Benteke of Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on November 19, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images) /


Manchester City travel to fellow Premier League outfit Crystal Palace on Saturday for the English F.A. Cup fourth round. 

Pep Guardiola‘s side thumped West Ham United 5-0 in the third round, while Sam Allardyce‘s Crystal Palace defeated fourth-tier Bolton Wanderers 2-1 in a third round replay. Allardyce is looking to guide the South London club back to the F.A. Cup final, where they finished as runners-up last season. This will be the fourth time these sides have met in this competition.

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After a dramatic 2-2 home league draw vs. Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, Manchester City will look to get back to winning ways. Crystal Palace have struggled in the Barclays Premier League this season, currently sitting 18th and in the relegation zone. With F.A. Cup action right around the corner, I decided to create a combined starting XI between the two sides using eligible players.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 01: Willy Caballero of Manchester City in action during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City FC and FC Barcelona at Etihad Stadium on November 1, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 01: Willy Caballero of Manchester City in action during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City FC and FC Barcelona at Etihad Stadium on November 1, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Goalkeeper – Willy Caballero

Due to this being a cup competition, Willy Caballero should get the nod in net. Claudio Bravo needs a rest, and Caballero is a fine #2. Palace’s Wayne Hennessey has also struggled, while Steve Mandanda has found it tough during his first season in England. Caballero is a proven keeper, dating back to his heroics in the Capital One Cup final last season against Liverpool. I feel right now, he is the best keeper for this match.