Crystal Palace vs. Man City: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
The top two sides in the Premier League meet at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon as Crystal Palace host Manchester City.
Palace sit in second place, which will be something of a surprise to some but perhaps less so to those paying close attention.
Alan Pardew has swiftly put in place a side with both quality and determination, and they may surprise a few people this season, even if staying in their current position proves beyond them. Their last match—a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge—saw them produce a sensational performance.
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The summer signing of Yohan Cabaye was a statement of their intent and newfound status as an established, upwardly mobile Premier League side. The idea that Cabaye, a classy, deep-lying playmaker, would play for Palace would have been laughed at 12 months ago. It's now very much reality and perhaps the first of more quality purchases to come.
City, who sit top having taken maximum points from their games so far, have been superb in the opening month of the campaign. Four wins from four, 10 goals scored and none conceded. Manuel Pellegrini's men look a different proposition to the team that stumbled through much of the last campaign.
New record signing Kevin De Bruyne could make his debut for City, with Pellegrini's team desperate to consolidate the early lead they have established over their title rivals.
"Everything you need to know about #palacevcity. Key info, team news and quotes: http://t.co/LzpZRhRc4P #MCFC pic.twitter.com/iUDnewFdv2
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) September 11, 2015"
Date: Saturday, September 12
Kick-Off: 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET
TV Listings: NBCSN and NBC Universo (US)
Live Stream: Not available
Form Guide (last five league results)
Palace
Chelsea 1-2 Palace
Palace 2-1 Aston Villa
Palace 1-2 Arsenal
Norwich 1-3 Palace
Palace 1-0 Swansea (2014/15 season)
City
City 2-0 Watford
Everton 0-2 City
City 3-0 Chelsea
West Brom 0-3 City
City 2-0 Southampton (2014/15 season)
Predicted formations
Palace (from): Hennessey, McCarthy, Speroni, Dann, Delaney, Hangeland, Kelly, Mariappa, Souare, Bolasie, Cabaye, Guedioura, Jedinak, Ledley, Lee, McArthur, Mutch, Puncheon, Sako, Zaha, Bamford, Campbell, Gayle, Wickham.
Joel Ward is out for a month, and Marouane Chamakh is still unavailable because of a hamstring problem, while Mile Jedinak, Fraizer Campbell and Joe Ledley are also missing.
City (from): Caballero, Hart, Wright, Demichelis, Kolarov, Kompany, Mangala, Otamendi, Sagna, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Nasri, Navas, Roberts, Silva, Toure, Zuculini, Aguero, Bony, Iheanacho, Sterling.
City go into the match without David Silva who has an ankle problem. Pellegrini hopes he will be available for the game with Juventus on Tuesday in the Champions League. Fabian Delph, Gael Clichy and Pablo Zabaleta are all out, but Wilfried Bony is back in contention. Bacary Sagna has shaken off an ankle knock sustained on international duty and will start.
".@21LVA, Delph, @pablo_zabaleta & Clichy ruled out of #palacevcity but @DeBruyneKev may start. Full story: http://t.co/FMQEsVpe4H #MCFC
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) September 11, 2015"
Players to Watch
Palace: Yohan Cabaye
Cabaye is emblematic of the new focus at Palace. No longer do they see themselves as a side grateful for Premier League status; they want to mix it with the best and perhaps stake a claim at a European place.
It's also a sign of the Premier League's increased financial muscle. The latest TV deal is so lucrative that even mid-table sides are now able to outbid the majority of big European teams for players.
Cabaye sits deep and dictates play with his superb range of passing. City will need to nullify him or they can expect a tough afternoon.
City: Kevin De Bruyne
With Silva sidelined by an ankle knock, new signing De Bruyne may well get a chance to make his debut in his preferred No. 10 role.
His preparation has hardly been ideal, a point acknowledged by Pellegrini at his press conference on Friday. De Bruyne signed for City and then almost immediately left for international duty with Belgium. The time he has spent with his new team-mates has been minimal.
"It is not the best way to arrive, to go to his national squad but things happen and it doesn’t matter because he must play for Belgium," the Chilean said.
"In his position, it is more easy maybe to settle in our team. It is different if you play as a line back with special work. We will see. He needs maybe more time, but if we need him at this moment, he can play without problems."
De Bruyne will need to make a good start if he plays. Palace have looked well-drilled defensively, and the Belgian's guile will be key to unlocking their back line.
Key Battle:
Cabaye vs. Fernandinho
Cabbie's ability to start attacks with precision passing makes restricting his influence vital. Fernandinho, who has started the season superbly, will be the man responsible for minimising the Frenchman's impact.
Fernandinho, at his best, is one of the finest box-to-box midfielders in England. He brings energy, drive and technical quality.
This may well prove to be his toughest test of the campaign so far.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Palace: +400
City: -161
Draw: +300
Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.
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