Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace: Predicted Line-up

Manchester City host Crystal Palace at the Etihad this Saturday at 15:00 BST. Blues will be hoping for a better result than the same fixture last season when Laporte was shown the door and Palace won by two goals to zero.

City managed to grab just 1 point from both fixtures last season, which left the title race a close one, clinching it on the final day with all the drama one could imagine.

On the back of two 3-3 draws, fans will be hoping to see more alert and solid defensive performances, and more control in midfield.

These were lacking against Newcastle, which allowed Saint-Maximin to run wild down the wing into an ocean of space. City will look to put a stop to Wilfred Zaha doing the same for Palace on Saturday.

Especially as that will be their main tactic on Saturday coming off a good draw away to Liverpool and then following up with a win over Aston Villa.

Ederson

The keeper did the best he could with what was in front of him last weekend and may have been the reason that we didn’t concede more as he made two good saves and an important clearance.

Walker

I am not going to talk about his most recent performance. I am going to remind everyone of how important he is to us. What I do hope, is that his new role inverted has been scrapped in consideration for the opposition and their style of play.

Stones

Stones saw his first start of the season against Newcastle and couldn’t we tell. Usually an elegant and intelligent defender, on Sunday by contrast, he was caught kipping and backing off from ASM like he had monkeypox.

Getting more minutes against Barcelona midweek, perhaps this is what he needed to get back to his best.

Dias

With Laporte out and Ake picking up an injury against Newcastle last weekend. Dias is likely to start, despite having some niggles of his own after the Bournemouth game.

Cancelo

Although Gomez had a good debut for City midweek, left-footed, good one on one, and competent going forward, I expect the Portuguese to start against Palace.

Rodri

Had Phillips not picked up what looked like a shoulder injury in the friendly against Barcelona midweek, Rodri would still be starting.

De Bruyne

He’s De Bruyne.

Gundogan

The Blues’ captain has been impressive so far this season, coming up with the goods. He deserves his spot.

Bernardo

Bernardo didn’t work on the wing against Newcastle, however, pushing him back into the centre and allowing De Bruyne to roam free could cause Palace the kind of problems we like to see as blues.

Grealish

A surprise return for “Calves Out” after missing games against Newcastle and Barcelona due to injury. The Newcastle game highlighted how important his influence over the tempo of a game really is.

Haaland

Some Manchester City fans might be disappointed because he hasn’t bagged 5 goals per game, but the Norwegian contributes much more than goals. Dragging defences out of position and his hold up play have been vital in recent games.

What are your thoughts on this line-up?