...By Lola Smith for TDPel Media.
Manchester City faces Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday as they continue their quest to defend their league title.
They must keep winning to hold Arsenal at bay while also preparing for their upcoming Champions League showdown with Real Madrid.
Possible Line-up Rotations
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, may choose to make several changes to his starting line-up for Saturday’s game.
The match comes three days before their crucial Champions League semi-final trip to the Bernabeu.
Guardiola may choose not to risk Kevin De Bruyne, who returned to training following a knock.
Alternatively, he could use the match as an opportunity to get his playmaker back to match sharpness after missing two games.
Injury Concerns
There are no other reported injury concerns for Manchester City ahead of the game at Etihad Stadium.
Nathan Ake successfully returned from a hamstring issue for the midweek win over West Ham, which saw goalkeeper Ederson and captain Ilkay Gundogan rested.
Possible Rests
Guardiola may consider resting key players such as Ruben Dias, John Stones, Kyle Walker, Rodri, and Jack Grealish, as well as potentially giving Erling Haaland a day off, as they prepare for the crucial Champions League semi-final clash with Real Madrid.
Predicted Line-up
The predicted Manchester City XI for the game against Crystal Palace is Ederson; Stones, Dias, Akanji, Ake; Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne; Silva, Haaland, Foden.
Analysis
Manchester City has been in incredible form lately, winning their last six Premier League games.
They face a Crystal Palace side that has lost their last two games and has struggled for consistency this season.
Guardiola’s side has a comfortable ten-point lead at the top of the Premier League, but they cannot afford to take their foot off the gas with Arsenal breathing down their necks.
They will also be looking to build momentum ahead of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
The predicted line-up suggests that Guardiola may choose to rest several key players, but Manchester City still has the quality to secure another win against Crystal Palace.
