First Away Day of the Season

Manchester City make their first away trip of the new Premier League campaign tonight, heading to Selhurst Park to face a Crystal Palace side still searching for their opening points of the season.

Enzo Maresca's men arrive in south London on the back of a late comeback victory over Bournemouth at the Etihad last Sunday, a result that owed plenty to Rayan Cherki. The Frenchman turned the game on its head, setting up both goals in the 2-1 win. If he is back to full fitness, few would be surprised to see him named in the starting XI again.

Palace's New Era

Palace, meanwhile, are under new management. Pierre Sage has replaced Oliver Glasner after an impressive spell in charge of RC Lens, and he will be eager to get his first points on the board after a 2-0 defeat to Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in their opener.

Sage inherits a side that will be desperate to avoid a second straight defeat, and Selhurst Park is rarely a forgiving place for visitors. City will need to be sharp from the off.

Team News: Doku Out, Anderson Fit

City's only confirmed absentee is Jeremy Doku. The Belgian international is still sidelined with the calf injury he picked up during the first half of the FA Community Shield defeat to Arsenal.

There is better news elsewhere. Elliot Anderson is fit and should start after being withdrawn against Bournemouth with cramp, while Matheus Nunes continues his recovery from a fitness issue. Maresca told the media yesterday that Nunes is still working his way back to full sharpness, though there is a suggestion he could feature at right-back if needed.

City did look better when Nunes replaced Rico Lewis against Bournemouth, and a 60-70 minute run-out tonight might give them what they need in that position.

Midfield Puzzle

One of the more intriguing selection questions surrounds Marc Guehi. Maresca surprised everyone last weekend by starting the defender in midfield, and Guehi slotted in seamlessly. If asked to do the job again, he knows exactly what his manager expects.

New signing Ayyoub Bouaddi is available for selection and Maresca has said the Moroccan midfielder is ready to step straight into the matchday squad. If Bouaddi starts, Guehi could drop back into defence. But the more likely scenario is that Bouaddi begins on the bench, with Guehi retaining his place in the middle of the park.

Either way, Maresca has options. And after last week's late show, he'll want his side to start this one with the same intensity they finished with.