Crystal Palace vs Manchester City: Team News and Lineups
Selhurst Park under the lights, Manchester City in town, and two managers at very different points in their Premier League journeys. Crystal Palace are licking their wounds after an opening-day defeat at Everton. City arrive with late drama already in their legs after striking twice at the death to edge past Bournemouth.
The backdrop? Palace haven’t beaten City at Selhurst Park in the league since 2015. Their recent joy over the champions came instead on neutral ground, when they stunned them at Wembley to lift the FA Cup last season – the club’s first major trophy. Tonight feels like another measuring stick.
Palace forced into changes, Sarr ruled out
Pierre Sage goes into this one without two important options. Ismaila Sarr and Chadi Riad both miss out.
Sarr’s absence, in particular, stings. Chased by Liverpool in the market, the winger instead finds himself in the treatment room. Sage explained it bluntly in his pre-match briefing, outlining a groin problem that has kept the forward in individual sessions and out of full training.
New defensive recruit Axel Disasi does at least offer a boost. The Chelsea loanee has already made an impression behind the scenes. Sage spoke warmly about the centre-back’s experience and presence, insisting the Frenchman is ready and brings “confidence” to the squad. He starts on the bench but is expected to play a part.
Here’s how Palace line up:
Crystal Palace Starting XI
Henderson; Khalaili, Richards, Tomiyasu, Canvot, Mitchell; Wharton, Kamada; Nketiah, Pino, Strand Larsen
Substitutes
Benitez, Mingueza, Munoz, Disasi, Lerma, Hughes, Gozo, Guessand
It’s a side that blends graft and guile. Wharton and Kamada look to stitch things together in midfield, while Nketiah, Pino and Strand Larsen carry the attacking threat. Disasi, Lerma and Hughes give Sage options to tighten or tilt the game from the bench.
Maresca’s City travel without Doku
On the other side, Enzo Maresca’s Premier League story with Manchester City is only just beginning. His first league outing brought late goals and relief against Bournemouth. Now comes a trip to one of the division’s most awkward venues.
He must do it without Jeremy Doku. The winger is ruled out, while Matheus Nunes is a doubt, still short of full fitness. Maresca kept the door slightly ajar on Nunes, but made it clear the midfielder is not at 100%.
All eyes, though, drift to the newest big-money arrival. Ayyoub Bouaddi, City’s £86m signing from Lille, is named among the substitutes and could make his debut. Maresca has already been struck by the teenager’s maturity, stressing that while he “doesn’t look 18”, City will still handle his integration carefully after a move from abroad.
This is City’s starting side:
Manchester City Starting XI
Donnarumma; Dias, Khushanov, Gvardiol, Guehi; Anderson, O’Reilly, Cherki; Foden, Semenyo, Haaland
Substitutes
Rulli, Lewis, Kovacic, Ait-Nouri, Reis, Echeverri, Bouaddi, Mcaidoo, Braithwaite
Maresca’s selection is bold. Foden and Cherki offer craft between the lines, Haaland brings the inevitable focal point, and Semenyo’s energy out wide adds a different kind of chaos. The bench, stacked with technical quality and young talent, underlines the depth at his disposal.
Palace know all about upsetting City on the big stage after Wembley. City know they cannot afford early slips if they want their title back. Under the Selhurst floodlights, one question hangs over the night: is this where Maresca’s City show their ruthless side, or where Sage’s Palace write another shock into their modern history?
