It might be a new season but Manchester City are suffering the same defensive worries they endured last season.
Kyle Walker had to play centre-back alongside Ruben Dias in the 3-3 draw with Barcelona in Thursday’s friendly with Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte injured. John Stones eventually came off the bench in the second half as Pep Guardiola tried to save energy ahead of Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The City boss will have been annoyed by the knock picked up by Kalvin Phillips. Although the setback is not serious, the England star may not be ready in time for the weekend.
READ MORE: Man City wait on injured trio
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish - who travelled to Spain - is also nursing a problem and like Ake is a major doubt for the Palace game. It means Phil Foden will likely retain his place alongside Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva - who both scored against Newcastle on Sunday - in the front three.
The in-form Ilkay Gundogan is likely to get the nod again with regulars Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri expected to complete the midfield. Barring any further problems, City should be able to line up with a back four of Walker, Stones, Dias and Joao Cancelo in front of Ederson.
Young centre-back Luke Mbete only travelled back from Barcelona on Friday after suffering a nasty head clash in the Nou Camp encounter. He is not expected to make the bench for the game against Palace in another defensive blow.
Predicted XI vs Crystal Palace: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Cancelo; Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Foden, Haaland, Bernardo Silva.
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