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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Liam Wood

Kevin de Bruyne starts - Man City fans name the line-up they want to see vs Crystal Palace

Second-guessing Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City team selection is a dangerous game.

However, as the Premier League champions prepare to continue their latest title defence, supporters are agreeing on their preferred line-up to face Crystal Palace.

Albeit on penalties, City saw their four-year Carabao Cup reign ended by West Ham in midweek.

That's despite Guardiola selecting a strong 11 for the game, also calling on Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus and £100million man Jack Grealish from the bench.

Needless to say, those three have been picked out by fans, answering the MEN's selection survey, to start against the Londoners this afternoon (3pm):

Goalkeeper - Ederson

Although his understudy Zack Steffen is, perhaps, top of the class when it comes to that role in the Premier League, there is only one number one at the Etihad Stadium. Ederson is the easiest choice Guardiola will have to make.

Defenders - Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo

John Stones played against the Hammers in midweek, but has seemingly been cast aside by Guardiola for now.

Despite playing a key role in the Premier League and Champions League last season - and for England during that Euro 2020 charge - the former Barnsley and Everton man has been forced to play second fiddle to his rejuvenated teammate Aymeric Laporte.

Portuguese defender Ruben Dias is a stand-out at the heart of the City defence.

Flanked by Kyle Walker and the impressive Joao Cancelo, there can't be too many complaints here - unless you're named Stones, that is.

Midfielders - De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo

Despite having fit-again Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan available for selection, City's fans are urging Guardiola to pick Kevin de Bruyne, Rodri and in-form Bernardo Silva.

An embarrassment of riches here makes this a head-scratcher every week for the City boss.

However, while there have been some muted calls for him to drop De Bruyne, that old adage 'class is permanent' is worth keeping in mind.

Bernardo is a no-brainer right now and the Rodri versus Fernandinho debate seems largely to rest on personal preference for many.

Forwards - Jesus, Foden, Grealish

Did anyone mention that City failed to sign Harry Kane during the summer transfer window?

Well that would-be swoop has long-since been forgotten at the Etihad Stadium as Guardiola might have stumbled upon his perfect false nine. Many have been trusted in that position, but England sensation Foden has excelled over recent games with his goal-den touch...

Jesus and Grealish are the go-to picks among supporters here, as well.

That leaves Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling on the bench against Palace. Not bad options to call upon.

Sign up to our City newsletter so you never miss an update from the Etihad Stadium this s eason.

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