Manuel Pellegrini faces a number of selection dilemmas ahead of Wednesday’s Capital One Cup fourth round tie against Crystal Palace.
After adopting an unfamiliar defensive approach in the Manchester derby last Sunday, the Chilean is expected to revert to a more expressive 4-4-2 formation in front of home supporters. City fans voiced their displeasure in the aftermath of the 0-0 draw and questioned their manager’s decision to bring Martin Demichelis on for Yaya Touré late into the game, but the change was necessary to ensure the Blues claimed a crucial point.
“At this moment it is a very good point, we were very concentrated, well defending, and maybe a lot of media criticism, but we can do it also. If we want to defend, we can defend,” insisted Pellegrini after the game.
“We don’t like it though, we like to be an attacking team, but today [Sunday] we couldn’t because we didn’t play well.
Attacking football is likely to be on show at the Etihad Stadium with Kelechi Iheanacho and Jesus Navas hopeful of being named in Pellegrini’s starting eleven. City have scored a total of 20 goals in seven home games in all competitions this season and will be looking to add to that impressive tally against a Palace side that have claimed nine points from five games on the road this term
The Blues showcased their respect for the competition by fielding a strong eleven in the third round 4-1 win over Sunderland. Sergio Agüero, Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling claimed the goals in the victory last month, and senior players are expected to be called upon once again on Wednesday evening.
Manchester City predicted XI to play Crystal Palace:
