Manchester City will be looking for an immediate response this Saturday as they host an unpredictable Crystal Palace side. After the frustrating draw against Middlesbrough last week, City’s chances of finishing in the fourth place has become increasingly uncertain, and if United hadn’t followed suit against Swansea City, they would start match week 36 from the fifth place.
However, given City’s recent record against the Eagles, Guardiola would expect a routine win this Saturday. The Sky Blues have won eight of their last nine league games against them and the Eagles haven’t managed to keep a single clean sheet against them since 1993.
But, City’s league form of late has been the biggest concern for Guardiola at the moment. His men have managed just two wins in the last five Premier League games and given how much they struggled at Riverside Stadium, Allardyce could pose a big threat.
Possible Manchester City XI vs Crystal Palace
Defence
With Claudio Bravo out for the season with a calf injury, Willy Caballero will continue to take his place under the bar. He is the only feasible option for Guardiola at the moment given the third-choice Angus Gunn hasn’t played a single game in the top-most level yet.
Guardiola’s player selection for the three-man defence against Boro was hugely criticised and was quite easily infiltrated by Negredo. We expect the manager to deploy a four-man defence this time. Aleksandar Kolarov and Jesus Navas should take the side-back roles and Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi start at the heart of the defence.
Given how sharp Palace’s Andros Townsend and Wilfred Zaha have been of late, Kolarov and Navas will have an uphill task on their hands. And Christian Benteke’s vibrancy in front of the goal could be problematic for the central defence.
Midfield
The double pivot in the central midfield should feature the reliable duo of Fernandinho and Yaya Toure. Among all the experiments in the midfield, this partnership has looked quite balancing for Guardiola and he missed Toure’s services greatly against Boro. The former Ivory Coast international is back now.
Kevin De Bruyne is likely to take his place in the number 10 position. After starting the season with a bang, the Belgian has faced a relative slump now. But, we all know what he is capable of and with Sergio Aguero a doubt for the game, his incisive passes will be quintessential.
Attack
Leroy Sane should take his place in the left-wing position while Raheem Sterling on the other flank. Both didn’t start in the last game against Boro and were called on in the second-half to do damage control, which didn’t quite happen.
With Aguero out owing to his groin injury, injury-returned Gabriel Jesus should lead the attack.
