Crystal Palace vs Manchester City: Team News and Key Absences

Selhurst Park under the lights, Crystal Palace chasing a statement win, Manchester City already eyeing their title back. The stage is set, and the teams are in.

Palace opened their Premier League campaign with defeat at Everton. City needed two late goals to scrape past a stubborn Bournemouth, but they got there, and that’s usually all that matters for the Sky Blues. History leans heavily their way here: Palace haven’t beaten City at Selhurst Park in the league since 2015, even if last season’s FA Cup triumph at Wembley gave the London club a long-awaited first major trophy at City’s expense.

Tonight, both managers arrive with problems to solve and new faces to trust.

Palace team news: Sarr out, Disasi arrives

Pierre Sage goes into this one without two key options. Ismaila Sarr and Chadi Riad are both ruled out.

Sarr’s absence is a blow, especially with transfer noise swirling around him. Sage cut through that talk in his pre-match press conference, making it clear the winger’s issue is physical, not contractual.

“Ismaila Sarr is in individual sessions; he is in pain with his groin, and that’s why he didn’t train with us today,” Sage explained, underlining that Palace will have to do without his pace and direct running.

At the back, there is at least a boost. New signing Axel Disasi, on loan from Chelsea, goes straight into the matchday squad and has clearly impressed his new boss already.

“He is ready, he had his first session with us today and gives us confidence with his experience. That’s why he’s a good addition for us,” Sage said, hinting that the Frenchman could be called upon if the game turns into a siege.

Man City team news: Doku missing, Bouaddi poised

On the opposite bench, Enzo Maresca’s early weeks as Manchester City manager continue with a tricky away assignment and a couple of selection headaches.

Jeremy Doku is out of the trip to south London, removing one of City’s most explosive wide threats. Matheus Nunes is a doubt and faces a late call.

“Jeremy is out, Matheus we will see; he is still not 100%,” Maresca confirmed, leaving City slightly lighter in midfield and on the flanks than he would like.

All eyes, though, will be on Ayyoub Bouaddi. The £86m signing from Lille is in line to make his debut, a teenager dropped straight into the intensity of the Premier League.

“He doesn’t look 18, he looks older, which is important, but in this case we need to go slowly because he is young and came from another country,” Maresca said, striking a balance between excitement and caution over his new midfielder.

Crystal Palace confirmed XI

Sage has gone with a bold, front-foot lineup:

• Starting XI: Henderson; Khalaili, Richards, Tomiyasu, Canvot, Mitchell; Wharton, Kamada; Nketiah, Pino, Strand Larsen.
• Substitutes: Benitez, Mingueza, Munoz, Disasi, Lerma, Hughes, Gozo, Guessand.

Eddie Nketiah leads the line, flanked by Yeremy Pino and Jørgen Strand Larsen, with Daichi Kamada offering craft in behind. Tomiyasu and Mitchell give Palace balance in the full-back roles, while Adam Wharton anchors the midfield.

Disasi waits on the bench, a powerful option if Palace need to tighten up or chase the game with a defensive reshuffle.

Manchester City confirmed XI

Maresca’s first big away test in the league comes with a side that blends familiar star power and a few intriguing tweaks:

• 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.

Erling Haaland starts through the middle, with Phil Foden and Antoine Semenyo offering movement around him. Rayan Cherki and Matt O’Reilly provide creativity from deeper areas, while a back line featuring Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Marc Guehi in front of Gianluigi Donnarumma looks built to dominate duels.

Bouaddi has to wait his turn among the substitutes, but if the game opens up, Maresca may not resist the temptation to unleash him.

Palace’s crowd will demand another big-night upset. City, already chasing down the title they want back, will aim to silence Selhurst quickly. One of them will leave with their early-season story sharpened.