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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Dan Brown

Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte start as Man City fans name line-up they want to see vs Palace

Manchester City have the chance to move within two points of Arsenal in the Premier League table with a win over Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues defeated Newcastle United 2-0 in their last match, with Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva on target for the home side. Pep Guardiola's men currently find themselves five points behind league-leaders Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta's side not in action until Sunday.

Guardiola indicated that Foden will be fit to face Palace after taking a knock against Newcastle. The England international admitted he had suffered some more trouble with a foot injury that has been plaguing him, but the academy graduate trained as normal when the team returned to the City Football Academy after the win over Newcastle.

ALSO READ: How Man City should line up vs Crystal Palace in the Premier League

With the clash with the Eagles coming at an important stage in the season, Blues supporters want to see a strong side. Here's how MEN Sport readers think the team should line up for the clash against Palace:

Goalkeeper - Ederson

While the majority of City players have to compete for a position, Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson is firmly Guardiola's first choice. The 29-year-old shot-stopper has been impressive for the Blues this season, and he will be aiming to record his 10th league clean sheet of the campaign against Patrick Vieira's men.

Defenders - Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Nathan Ake

Guardiola has not been afraid to mix up his defence this season, and while Manuel Akanji impressed in the win over the Magpies, City fans want Aymeric Laporte to replace him at the heart of the defence. He has been backed to start alongside Ruben Dias, who always looks comfortable whenever playing next to the Frenchman.

Kyle Walker has only made 21 appearances this campaign and has occasionally found himself behind youngster Rico Lewis in the pecking order. However, the England international brings much-needed experience at a crucial part of the season. On the other side, Nathan Ake is the current first-choice left-back and will likely start.

Midfielders - Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne

Ilkay Gundogan started ahead of Bernardo Silva in the 2-0 win over Eddie Howe's side, and City fans want to see the German midfielder continue in the centre of the park. He will, almost certainly, play alongside defensive ace Rodri, who has been one of the Blues' standout players this season.

While Kevin De Bruyne has not registered a goal contribution in either of his last two appearances, the Belgian star has still been performing at a good level. The 31-year-old has registered five goals and 18 assists in all competitions this term and remains a vital cog in City's machine.

Forwards - Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish

With Foden having scored four goals in his last three matches, he has, unsurprisingly, been tipped to start on the right wing in the game against Palace. The England ace has been struggling with an injury, but Guardiola insisted he was fit to play after training as normal. On the other flank, Jack Grealish - who won City's Player of the Month award for February - has been impressive in recent weeks.

Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign. With that in mind, the Norwegian ace, who has bagged 33 goals in 34 matches this season, will be relishing coming up against the Eagles once again.

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