Manchester City will clash heads with Crystal Palace at the Etihad on Sunday evening, hoping to pick up all three points on their home turf. The Citizens will be heading into the contest on the back of a demoralising 0-0(5-3) defeat to West Ham United in the Carabao Cup, whereas the hosts recorded a 1-1 stalemate versus Newcastle United last week.
Pep Guardiola will probably opt for the 4-3-3 formation with a couple of tweaks from the last game. Phil Foden might get the nod over Raheem Sterling, whereas Gabriel Jesus looks likely to make his way back into the starting eleven.
4-3-3 Manchester City Predicted Lineup Vs Crystal Palace
Defence
Ederson Moraes will operate in between the sticks for the upcoming clash. The Brazilian shot-stopper will be hoping to put up a strong performance and add to his tally of five Premier League clean sheets on Sunday.
Aymeric Laporte will replace John Stones to form the centre-half partnership with Ruben Dias at the heart of City’s backline.
Joao Cancelo is a guaranteed starter at the left-back position, whereas Kyle Walker will fill in on the other flank as the right-back. The full-backs will be expected to stay compact and keep their shape defensively.
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Midfield
Rodri might start in the holding midfield position and could be assigned with more of a defensive role to shield the home side’s back-four.
Ilkay Gundogan, who started against West Ham in midweek, could again get the nod over Bernardo Silva for the central midfield role. On the other hand, Kevin De Bruyne is expected to start in the attacking midfield position. The duo would be determined to set up some clear cut goal scoring chances for the front men.
Fernandinho will have to settle for a place on the bench, but he could come on to make a cameo appearance in the second half.
Attack
Jack Grealish and Gabriel Jesus will take up the wide positions, playing on the left and right-wing, respectively.
Given Ferran Torres’ absence, Phil Foden will lead the line for Manchester City this weekend. The England international will be hoping to get his name on the scoresheet when he faces off against the Palace defence that has kept just one clean sheet in their last seven league matches.
