Guardiola plays down fixture congestion fears
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 5.30pm, Saturday 19th October 2019
Venue: Selhurst Park, London
Referee: Anthony Taylor Assistants: G Beswick, A Nunn Fourth Official: T Robinson
Odds: Palace 11/1, Draw 5/1, City 2/9
Tickets: Sold out
TV: Sky Sports
Crystal Palace
Manager: Roy Hodgson
Squad (from): Hennessey, Henderson, Guaita, Ward, van Aanholt, Tomkins, Dann, Sakho, Schlupp, Cahill, Kelly, Milivojevic, Meyer, Kouyate, Townsend, McArthur, McCarthy, Ayew, Zaha, Benteke, Wickham
Injured: None
Doubtful: Sakho, Wickham
Suspended: None
Form guide: WWDLW
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Ederson, Bravo, Carson, Angelino, Cancelo, Garcia, Harwood-Bellis, Mendy, Otamendi, Walker, Zinchenko, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Foden, Gundogan, Mahrez, Rodri, B Silva, D Silva, Sterling, Aguero, Jesus
Injured: Laporte, Sane
Doubtful: Stones, Mendy, De Bruyne
Suspended: None
Form guide: LWWWW
Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones are available again after injury, and will come into contention for the clash at Selhurst Park. Benjmain Mendy has also returned to training, but may not be risked after a succession of injuries.
Yesterday a raft of fixtures changes were announced, and the club were thought to be unhappy at the demands faced by their players over a busy Christmas period, but Pep Guardiola played down any concerns.
"It is what it is," Guardiola said. "Every year I’ve been here it is the same.
"Broadcasters are the bosses in these situations.
"I love to play on Boxing Day, winter time when people are off and can enjoy. But we don’t protect the players.
"The system doesn’t protect them. Another day we will have more recovery than others. Maybe broadcasters are more fans of other clubs.
"We have to play. We are going to play."
City's last visit to Selhurst Park ended in a 3-1 win for the Blues, with Raheem Sterling (2) and Gabriel Jesus netting for the Blues. Overall City have won 32 of the 61 games played against the Eagles, with 13 draws and 16 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Fernandinho, Mendy, Rodri, D Silva, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Sterling, Aguero
Score prediction: Crystal Palace 1 City 2