Manchester City are again without three key defenders for Crystal Palace’s visit this afternoon, as Rico Lewis is brought into the starting lineup.
Pep Guardiola’s side have had to contend with significant injury issues for much of the season and the City boss’ options at the back are still limited.
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John Stones suffered a thigh injury in February and has been out since, with his return not believed to be imminent, while Nathan Ake underwent surgery on a fracture in his left foot last month.
Manuel Akanji, meanwhile, needed surgery on an abductor injury in February, and like Stones is not expected to return until late April at the earliest.
Asked for an update on the trio, Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference on Friday: “Still injured, we’ll see.
“[Injuries] happened all season, we adapt. You can see it as a problem or a challenge, the position is a disaster or it could be worse.
“I’m happy with the way we handled the situation and where we are."
Lewis is preferred to Matheus Nunes at right-back, while Nico O'Reilly has impressed on the left in recent matches and keeps his place.
With City having had a free week after their draw with Manchester United last Sunday, Kevin De Bruyne is able to start again, while Omar Marmoush continues leading the line with Erling Haaland injured and James McAtee earns a start.
Savinho, Jeremy Doku and Bernardo Silva all have to settle for places on the bench.
Phil Foden and Jack Grealish were both involved in incidents with the United fans at Old Trafford and Guardiola admitted that the pair “don’t feel good”.
Foden misses out on the squad completely, and Grealish is among the substitutes.
Man City XI: Ederson, Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Nico, Kovacic, Gundogan, De Bruyne, McAtee, Marmoush
Subs: Ortega, Grealish, Doku, Bernardo, Reis, Savinho, Nunes, Khusanov, Bobb
Time and date: 12:30pm BST on Saturday, April 12, 2025
Venue: Etihad Stadium
How to watch: TNT Sports
