Breaking News: Man City Faces Crystal Palace Without Key Player!
It's a crucial match, and the starting lineup has been revealed! The big news? No Doku for Man City as they prepare to clash with Crystal Palace. But don't worry, we've got all the details on who's in, who's out, and what it all means for the game.
The only change from Wednesday's Champions League victory against Real Madrid sees Tijjani Reijnders stepping in for Doku. When asked about Doku's absence before the game, Guardiola revealed it's due to a leg injury. This is a crucial point for City.
In Doku's absence, Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden will be supporting Erling Haaland up front. Nico O'Reilly and Matheus Nunes will be pushing forward from the full-back positions, adding attacking flair. City seems to be sticking with a winning formula, riding a four-match winning streak across all competitions.
But here's where it gets controversial... Rodri remains sidelined, having played only a minute of football in over two months. Guardiola mentioned last week that Rodri is "suffering" and "struggling" in his comeback attempt, emphasizing the need to protect him. Rodri missed a significant portion of last season due to a knee injury.
Rodri's midfield partner, Mateo Kovacic, is also out with a long-term ankle injury. Defender John Stones is expected to be out for a short time due to a thigh issue. The team's back four seems settled, with Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and O’Reilly in front of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
A Key Consideration: For Egyptian forward Marmoush and Algeria’s Ait-Nouri, this is their final match before they head off to the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next week. This could have a big impact on the team's dynamics.
Confirmed Man City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Nico, Bernardo, Reijnders, Foden, Cherki, Haaland
Subs: Trafford, Ake, Marmoush, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Khusanov, Bobb, Mukasa, Lewis
Injured: Rodri, Kovacic, Stones
Match Details:
- Time and date: 2 PM GMT on Sunday, December 14, 2025
- Venue: Selhurst Park, London
- How to watch: Sky Sports
What do you think of Guardiola's lineup choices? Will Doku's absence be a significant setback? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
