Manchester City will be looking to keep the their Premier League title hopes alive when they host Crystal Palace on Wednesday at 8pm.
Pep Guardiola’s side go into the weekend five points behind league leaders Arsenal, with this being their match in hand over the Gunners
Man City predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace
Man City (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Ake, Ait-Nouri; O’Reilly, Gonzalez; Semenyo, Foden, Savinho; Marmoush.
The Citizens bounced back from their draw with Everton to beat Brentford last time out, but they had to watch the next day as Arsenal took all three points against West Ham United in dramatic fashion.
Man City have a decent record against Crystal Palace, unbeaten in eight in the Premier League. But the Eagles have won seven away league games this season — the third-best in the division. Palace have also scored twice in each of their last four league visits to the Etihad Stadium.
Man City team news vs Crystal Palace
Guardiola will have to keep one eye on Saturday’s FA Cup final when naming his starting XI. So we may see a change or two. He’s hinted at this already, saying: “I know it’s not easy for them, but I’m pretty sure the next games they’re going to play. I want to rotate the team.
“Because otherwise we cannot arrive in the final or Bournemouth a little bit. We’ll see the result tomorrow and after we take our decisions.”
There was a change to the defence at the weekend with Nathan Ake coming in to replace the injured Abdukodir Khusanov. Ake may keep his spot in the starting XI, ahead of Ruben Dias, who made his return to the bench at the weekend. John Stones is another option, but he has been out of favour in recent weeks, while Josko Gvardiol’s available is uncertain.
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Rodri is also a doubt having missed the past three games through injury. He may not be risked from the start ahead of the weekend, but is likely to come off the bench if available. There may still be a change in the midfield though, with Nico Gonzalez pushing for a start.
Nico O’Reilly could join Gonzalez in a revamped midfield, to give Bernardo Silva a rest. Rayan Ait-Nouri would then slot in at left-back, completing the defence with Matheus Nunes on the right.
There may also be changes in attack, if Guardiola is to be believed. Omar Marmoush came off the bench to score against Brentford and may lead the line ahead of Erling Haaland. Phil Foden and Savinho also made positive impacts.
Man City’s fast starters
Man City will be relying on a fast start if they are to stay in the title race with victory over Crystal Palace. The earlier they strike, the less nerves there will be later in the game. And they have good reason to believe they can do it.
The Citizens have scored 38 goals in the first halves of their Premier League games this season, the most in the league. They have also conceded just nine before the break, the fewest in the league. Now, Man City’s last five league goals have all come in the second halves of their matches. But they know they can turn things on from the start.
Man City also have a decent record in late kick-offs. Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in their last 23 league games to have kicked off at 7pm or later, winning 17. But, again, there is an unwanted caveat. The Citizens have drawn five of their eight league matches at 7pm or later in 2026.