Competition: English FA Cup 2016-17
Date: Saturday, 28th January, 15:00 GMT
Stadium: Selhurst Park.
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Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Preview
After some testing times in the Premier League, the FA Cup will provide a pleasant distraction for Crystal Palace and Manchester City when they meet in the fourth round at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
In the league, new Eagles boss Sam Allardyce is still searching for his first win since taking charge at the club in December. They battled gamely in their last clash with Everton although eventually caved in to second-half pressure to lose 1-0; the new coach’s only victory so far came against Bolton Wanderers in the previous round of the FA Cup.
City were much improved on Saturday in their showdown with Tottenham Hotspur, although manager Pep Guardiola will have been disappointed to see his players surrender a two-goal lead to draw 2-2. In the previous round of the FA Cup, they were imperious in a 5-0 win over West Ham United.
Team News
Crystal Palace
Despite Ivory Coast’s elimination from the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, Allardyce is unlikely to have Wilfried Zaha available. Meanwhile, Pape Souare and Connor Wickham are both long-term absentees.
Likely XI: Wayne Hennessey; James Tomkins, Scott Dann, Damien Delaney; Joel Ward, Yohan Cabaye, Jason Puncheon, James McArthur, Jeffrey Schlupp; Loic Remy, Christian Benteke.
Manchester City
Guardiola is still without Fernandinho, who will serve the final match of his four-game suspension. Goalkeeper Willy Caballero started the FA Cup tie against West Ham and is set to step in for Claudio Bravo once again.
Likely XI: Willy Caballero; Pablo Zabaleta, Nicolas Otamendi, John Stones, Gael Clichy; Yaya Toure, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne; Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-3 Manchester City
