Saturday, 29 August at the Veterans Memorial auditorium in Providence, Rhode Island and Eddie Izzard has launched into one of his trademark rambling monologues. The subject matter has meandered on to the Crusades when the Crystal Palace associate director interjects: “… and then, in the second half, on came Bolasie and Palace ended up winning 2-1 to go second in the table.” Chelsea were beaten last time out. Now Alan Pardew’s side aim to repeat April’s victory over Manchester chesterCity, the only side above them in the fledgling table. Izzard will be performing at the the Mountain Winery in Saratoga on Saturday night. He will hope he has further tweaks to make to his routine. Dominic Fifield
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Selhurst Park
Last season Crystal Palace 2 Man City 1
Referee M Jones
This season G3, Y12, R1, 4.33 cards per game
Odds H 6-1 A 11-17 D 4-1
Crystal Palace
Subs from Speroni, Hennessey, Mariappa, Hangeland, Lee, Ledley, Jedinak, Kaikai, Zaha, Gayle, Mutch, Wickham, Campbell
Doubtful Jedinak (hamstring), Wickham (calf), Campbell (hamstring), Ledley (hamstring)
Injured Ward (knee, 17 Oct), Chamakh (groin, Dec) Suspended None
Form WLWW Discipline Y5 R0
Leading scorers Sako, Ward 2
Manchester City
Subs from Caballero, Wright, Demichelis, Bony, Nasri, Roberts, Zuculini, Iheanacho
Doubtful None
Injured Zabaleta (knee, 19 Sept), Clichy (ankle, Oct), Fernando
(groin, 19 Sept), Delph (hamstring, Nov), Silva (ankle, 19 Sept)
Suspended None
Form WWWW
Discipline Y9 R0
Leading scorers Fernandinho, Kompany 2
