Crystal Palace vs Manchester City: Team News and Lineups

Selhurst Park under the lights. Crystal Palace trying to shake off an opening-day defeat. Manchester City already chasing back what they see as their property: the Premier League title.

The two clubs arrive from very different moods. Palace were beaten at Everton on the opening weekend. City needed late drama to turn over Bournemouth, scoring twice near the end to kick-start Enzo Maresca’s reign. One game in, and the champions-in-waiting have already shown they still know how to squeeze a result out of a tight afternoon.

Palace’s record at home to City tells its own story. No league win at Selhurst Park against the visitors since 2015. The one major high came away from south London: that famous FA Cup triumph at Wembley last season, when Palace finally lifted their first major trophy by beating City on neutral turf. Tonight, they try to bring that kind of occasion back to their own ground.

Palace Team News: Sarr Out, Disasi Arrives

Pierre Sage has to juggle. Two definite absentees: Ismaila Sarr and Chadi Riad both miss out.

Sarr’s situation has been watched closely, not just in south London. Liverpool have been circling in the background, but Sage made it clear in his pre-match press conference that the winger’s absence is down to injury, not transfer manoeuvres.

“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. No mystery, just a fitness problem at a bad time.

There is at least one new face to lift the mood. Axel Disasi, on loan from Chelsea, is in the squad and already drawing strong words from his new manager.

“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. Experience, presence, and another option against one of the most ruthless attacks in Europe.

City Team News: Doku Missing, Bouaddi Waiting

On the opposite bench, Enzo Maresca has his own selection issues for his first major away test as City manager.

Jeremy Doku does not travel. Matheus Nunes is a doubt and faces a late call.

“Jeremy is out, Matheus we will see; he is still not 100%,” Maresca confirmed. Not ideal when walking into Selhurst Park’s noise for the first time as City boss.

The intrigue lies with Ayyoub Bouaddi. The £86m signing from Lille is in line to make his debut, a teenager carrying a heavyweight price tag into a heavyweight dressing room.

“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. The message is clear: the talent is real, but City will control the tempo of his rise.

Confirmed Lineups

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

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

City arrive with Haaland up front, Foden scheming, and an £86m teenager waiting in the wings. Palace answer with new blood of their own and a crowd that remembers Wembley.

If they can finally turn that cup memory into a league statement at Selhurst, this season’s title race might feel different very quickly.