Follow live coverage of Manchester City v Crystal Palace here

Sergio Aguero
Manchester City will be missing the services of their three first-choice strikers, Sergio Aguero (above), Edin Dzeko and Steven Jovetic for the game against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Getty Images

Manuel Pellegrini's men welcome Crystal Palace for a Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Where to watch

Kick-off is set for 12.45pm GMT. Live coverage is on BT Sport 1. Live radio coverage is available on BBC Radio 5 Live. Catch the highlights on Match of the Day at 10.30pm GMT on BBC One and BBC One HD.

Overview

Manchester City welcome Crystal Palace for a Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, a clash in which the former needs the three points to keep on the heels of league leaders Chelsea and the latter to put some distance between them and the relegation places.

Manuel Pellegrini's team are one of the form teams of the league along with city rivals Manchester United and they will be hoping to continue their winning run and pile on the pressure on the Blues at the top of the table.

However, the manager is without any of his first-choice strikers and will have to rely on teenager Jose Angel Pozo to lead the line for the visit of the Eagles.

Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock will hope his team Crystal Palace can get at least a point when they face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday Getty

Meanwhile, Palace come into this game as the underdogs, but Neil Warnock is likely to put out a team that will frustrate the defending champions and catch them on the counter attack.

The Eagles have failed to win their last four games and will be keen to get at least a point to keep themselves above the relegation zone through the busy Christmas period.

What managers say

Manuel Pellegrini [on Eliaquim Mangala covering for Vincent Kompany]: "Of course we have a lot of trust in Mangala. That's why we bought him. Maybe he has made some mistakes in the Premier League and maybe he has delayed a bit to be settled here. But we continue to trust in him because I am sure he is a very good player, he is a very young player and he will be a very important centre-back for our team."

Neil Warnock: "They're just hitting that form aren't they? It's always difficult to go to The Etihad with them being the champions as well and playing some wonderful football. But we've been playing well. I know we haven't scored the goals that our play has warranted really. I don't think we have any fear."

Betting Odds (bwin)

  • Crystal Palace to win: 33/4
  • Draw: 17/4
  • Manchester City to win: 3/10

Team News

Manchester City

  • Injured: Nastasić (thigh), Agüero (knee), Jovetic, Dzeko, Kompany (hamstring)
  • Doubtful: N/A
  • Suspended: N/A

Possible XI: Hart; Sagna, Demichelis, Mangala, Clichy; Toure, Fernando, Nasri, Lampard, Silva; Pozo.

Crystal Palace

  • Injured: Chamakh
  • Doubtful: N/A
  • Suspended: N/A

Possible XI: Speroni; Kelly, Hangeland, Dann, Ward; Jedinak, McArthur, Ledley, Bolasie; Zaha, Gayle.

Manchester City FC