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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Joe Bray

Man City fans fear the worst after controversial Pep Guardiola selection decision vs Crystal Palace

Manchester City fans are concerned after Pep Guardiola named his team for the Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace - without any central defenders.

City know a win at Selhurst Park will take them to within five points of Liverpool before the league leaders face Manchester United on Sunday, but Palace could leapfrog Guardiola's side with a win of their own after a good start to the campaign.

Guardiola has Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones and Benjamin Mendy back after injury, but has opted not to play Stones despite the absence of Nicolas Otamendi due to a back injury.

Fernandinho and Rodri partner up in the centre of the Blues' defence instead, with Stones named on the bench along with youngster Eric Garcia.

Joao Cancelo starts at right-back with Kyle Walker ill, and Benjamin Mendy starts on the left, with Aleks Zinchenko not included in the matchday squad.

In midfield, Ilkay Gundogan starts alongside De Bruyne and David Silva, with Bernardo preferred to Riyad Mahrez on the wing.

Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus complete City's starting XI.

While there were plenty of controversial talking points to come out of the team announcement, such as Aguero being named on the bench, some fans reckon the decision to play two unorthodox centre-backs could come back to haunt the manager...

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