Manchester City will be facing an unpredictable Crystal Palace side at the Selhurst Park and they will look to re-start after the International break on a positive note and get over the disappointment of the last gasp 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough. They have had three consecutive 1-1 draws against Everton, Southampton and Middlesbrough at home and an away match might well suit them. But Palace won’t have much to lose from the fixture and it is expected the will come at City hard early on, with the defence looking brittle when put under pressure.
City like to dominate possession and if given space and time, they will quickly forge a stranglehold on the game and the Eagles will be forced to refrain from playing their natural game.
Crystal Palace were well placed at one point this season but a torrid run has pegged them back and they find themselves in the 16th position. The pressure in one Pardew to resurrect things as the extremely inconsistent results under his stewardship might finally be getting on the nerves of the owners.
Manchester City will have to be wary of a wounded Palace outfit and tiredness might also be an issue with City boasting of a huge contingent of players representing their country.
T4O’S PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY LINE-UP VS CRYSTAL PALACE (4-1-4-1)
DEFENCE
Claudio Bravo will be in goal and will be prepared for a slightly smaller ground and hostile environment. His passing and build-up from the back has to be executed carefully. Zabaleta is likely to start the game at right-back although Maffeo offers another option in addition to Pep’s option of switching to a back three. The perennial question marks over Kompany’s fitness will most likely see Otamendi and Stones lining up at centre-back. Benteke will pose lots of questions of them, especially in the air. Kolarov will line-up at left-back.
MIDFIELD
Fernandinho is expected to be fit enough to start in the position he has made his own this term. Though it is unlikely, given the importance of 3 points now, Silva might be brought on from the bench. In that case, Gundogan and De Bruyne will start in slightly advanced midfield positions. Both of them have been at their best when played centrally and if they click, Palace will have to brace themselves.
ATTACK
Nolito has seen his game time reduced but might get a start on the left flank on Saturday. Sterling will start on the right wing with Sergio Aguero, looking to put his disappointing time in an Argentine jersey behind him, starting up top.
