Manchester City will be looking to make it two Premier League wins from two when they travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Friday night.
City began their campaign with a victory over Bournemouth and will now be aiming to maintain their perfect start. However, there are still several fitness and selection issues for the visitors to consider.
Manchester City team news
Jeremy Doku is expected to miss the trip after suffering a calf injury. The winger remains sidelined and is unlikely to be involved against Palace.
Elliot Anderson is another doubt after recently recovering from a thigh problem. If he is not considered ready to start, Mateo Kovacic is the leading candidate to replace him in midfield.
Also see –ย Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup vs Man City: Team News and Starting XI
There is more positive news regarding Ayyoub Bouaddi, who completed his move from Lille this week. The 18-year-old is fit and available, although his manager has indicated that his introduction will be handled carefully following his move to England.
Matheus Nunes is also not yet fully fit after a minor muscle issue. He is therefore unlikely to return straight into the starting XI.
The midfield remains the biggest area of uncertainty, with Kovacic, Anderson and Bouaddi among the options available.
Predicted Manchester City lineup
Manchester City: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Rรบben Dias, Joลกko Gvardiol; Mateo Kovaฤiฤ, Marc Guรฉhi; Phil Foden, Nico O’Reilly, Antoine Semenyo; Erling Haaland.
Defence
Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to retain his place in goal, with Rico Lewis and Joลกko Gvardiol operating as the full-backs.
Abdukodir Khusanov and Rรบben Dias are predicted to continue together in central defence, combining Khusanov’s pace with Dias’ experience.
Midfield
Kovacic could come into the starting lineup if Anderson is not risked from the beginning.
Guรฉhi is expected to retain his midfield role, while Bouaddi may have to wait for his debut from the bench despite being declared fit.
The teenager’s arrival gives City another option in the middle of the pitch, but there is little indication that he will immediately be handed a starting role.
Attack
Phil Foden, Nico O’Reilly and Antoine Semenyo are predicted to operate behind Erling Haaland.
Doku’s absence could place greater responsibility on Foden and Semenyo to provide City’s width and attacking threat.
Haaland is expected to lead the line after starting City’s opening Premier League fixture.
Crystal Palace vs Man City
Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
Kick-off: 8pm BST
Venue: Selhurst Park, London
This will be City’s first Premier League away game of the season.
Predicted XI
Donnarumma
Lewis โ Khusanov โ Dias โ Gvardiol
Kovaฤiฤ โ Guรฉhi
Foden โ O’Reilly โ Semenyo
Haaland
Prediction: Man City are expected to stick with a largely unchanged attacking structure, while Kovacic could be the key alteration in midfield if Anderson is not deemed ready to start.
Read more –ย Crystal Palace vs Man City Prediction, Team News & Lineups
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