Pep Guardiola is set to rotate heavily for Manchester City’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace.
Man City welcome Palace to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night for what is the first of three games in the space of six days as Guardiola’s side bid to keep their treble hopes alive.
City take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday before facing Bournemouth three days later in a fixture that will have an impact on the title race if they claim all three points against the Eagles.
Speaking after the 3-0 win over Brentford at the weekend, the Man City manager vowed to rotate the team “otherwise we cannot arrive at the final or Bournemouth how we want to”.
Guardiola then doubled down on his rotation plan when previewing the Palace game.
He said: “It’s not a problem for that game [Palace], we arrived with four days and a half [rest] but, of course, after three days we travel to London and after we come back to play Bournemouth.
“I will have to think about it, yes.”
While, Rodri is “doing better” in his recovery from a groin injury that has kept him out of action since the 2-1 win over Arsenal on April 19, it is unlikely the midfielder will be risked so close to the FA Cup final.
Abdukodir Khusanov, however, could return in central defence alongside ex-Palace captain Marc Guehi after missing the Brentford game with a “tough knock” sustained in the 3-3 draw against Everton.
Ruben Dias is available for selection after nearly two months out with a hamstring injury, but may have to settle for a place on the bench once again.
There could be a straight swap at left-back with Rayan Ait-Nouri coming in for Nico O’Reilly. Elsewhere, Man City’s FA Cup semi-final hero Nico Gonzalez is poised to deputise for Rodri in central midfield.
Omar Marmoush, Phil Foden and Savinho are all pushing for starts after making an impact off the bench against Brentford, though the form of Jeremy Doku means he is undroppable at the moment.
As a result, Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki could be rested, thus handing Marmoush and Foden the chance to ensure Man City reduce the gap to leaders Arsenal to two points.
Man City predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Nico, Bernardo; Semenyo, Foden, Doku; Marmoush
Injured: Gvardiol
Doubts: Rodri, Khusanov
Time and date: 8pm BST on Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Venue: Etihad Stadium
How to watch: Sky Sports
