Saturday 19 November 2016 14:01, UK
Crystal Palace will look to bounce back from their late defeat to Burnley when they host Manchester City as the Premier League returns to action on Saturday.
Palace were condemned to a heartbreaking defeat when an injury-time strike from Ashley Barnes sealed a 3-2 win for Burnley at Turf Moor before the international break.
But now Alan Pardew's side, who sit 16th in the table, hope to spark new life into their season when they welcome Pep Guardiola's City, who are two points off top spot in third.
Team news
Crystal Palace will be without goalkeeper Steve Mandanda for the visit of City. Mandanda is expected to be out for a couple of weeks with a knee injury, meaning Wayne Hennessey will start at the weekend.
Joe Ledley and Lee Chung-yong (both knocks) face late fitness tests after international duty while Loic Remy (thigh) has had a slight setback and Pape Souare (broken leg) is still out.
Bacary Sagna has resumed full training and is targeting a return to Guardiola's starting line-up after the international break.
The former Arsenal defender has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring tear during the first half of France's 4-1 World Cup qualifying win over Bulgaria in October.
David Silva played 64 minutes in Spain's 2-2 draw with England on Tuesday, belying injury concerns.
Captain Vincent Kompany may be in line to feature for City after recovering from a groin issue.
Opta stats
Manchester City have won seven of their last 12 meetings between Crystal Palace, drawing three and losing two.
City did the double over Palace last season, winning 1-0 at Selhurst Park last September before going on to sink the Eagles 4-0 at the Etihad in January.
Crystal Palace's last victory over City was a 2-1 win at home last April in the Premier League, thanks to goals from Glenn Murray and Jason Puncheon.
Palace have suffered 18 Premier League defeats in 2016, more than any other team. They have just five wins from their last 30 league games.
Christian Benteke has, however, inspired Pardew's men to strengthen their form, having taken 11 points from nine league games since his arrival. That, compared with the same amount from their previous 21 league games in 2016, displays the quality Benteke has brought to the side.
Merson's prediction
This is a big one. Coming back off the international break is always a leveller.
Palace are on one of those Alan Pardew runs, where you can win five on the trot then lost five on the trot.
The other week, when Palace got back to 2-2 against Burnley, there looked to be only one winner, then Burnley go up the other end and score. It's a rotten run.
I think it always feels like a hard place to go, Selhurst Park, but Aguero didn't play for Argentina in midweek and I can see him firing.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3
Betting
Manchester City are considered the shortest-priced favourites from the Premier League 3pm kick-offs despite being on the road, with Sky Bet making them just 8/15 for the victory.
Crystal Palace are 19/4 for the points and 100/30 to end their losing run with a draw. City head into the weekend as 2/1 favourites for the title, while Alan Pardew's plummeting men are 15/2 to face the drop.
Having already broken the deadlock five times this season, Sergio Aguero heads the first goalscorer betting at 5/2, while Benteke is rated the hosts' main threat at 15/2 to net first.
