Manchester City Face Defensive Crisis Ahead of Crystal Palace Clash
Manchester City‘s injury woes continue to pile up as they prepare for their Premier League trip to Crystal Palace this afternoon. Pep Guardiola’s side, already struggling with absences this season, face further defensive challenges after injuries to Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji during their midweek clash with Nottingham Forest. With John Stones also sidelined, City’s backline is stretched thin heading into the crucial encounter.
Here’s the latest injury update from the Etihad:
Manuel Akanji
- Injury: Unknown
- What Guardiola said: “Akanji was just battling through fitness issues,” explained Guardiola after the defender was substituted at halftime against Nottingham Forest. He will undergo assessment ahead of the Palace match.
- Potential return date: Crystal Palace (A) – December 7
Nathan Ake
- Injury: Hamstring
- What we know: Ake limped off late in the Forest game with a hamstring injury. While initial concerns pointed to a serious issue, Guardiola suggested it’s not long-term. However, Ake is unavailable for today.
- Potential return date: Manchester United (H) – December 15
Phil Foden
- Injury: Bronchitis
- What we know: Foden missed the Forest match due to bronchitis and hasn’t recovered in time for Palace. However, he could return for the Champions League tie against Juventus.
- Potential return date: Juventus (A) – December 11
Mateo Kovacic
- Injury: Unknown
- What we know: Kovacic picked up an injury during international duty with Croatia. Guardiola revealed: “It will keep him out for maybe a month.” This is a significant setback, especially with Rodri also unavailable.
- Potential return date: Aston Villa (A) – December 21
John Stones
- Injury: Unknown
- What we know: Stones played just 45 minutes against Spurs before being sidelined for the last two games. City hope to have him back for their upcoming fixture against Nottingham Forest.
- Potential return date: Nottingham Forest (H) – December 4
Rodri
- Injury: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
- What we know: The midfield powerhouse is recovering from a severe knee injury and is expected to miss the rest of the season. Rodri, however, remains optimistic about a possible return for the Club World Cup.
- Potential return date: June 2025
Oscar Bobb
- Injury: Fractured Leg
- What we know: The young Norwegian suffered a leg break in August. City hope he can return during the festive period.
- Potential return date: Late December
A Pressing Test for City
With Guardiola juggling injuries across key positions, City’s defensive setup against Crystal Palace will face serious scrutiny. The match serves as a critical opportunity to build momentum after the 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest earlier this week. “We needed it. The club, the players, everyone needed to win,” Guardiola emphasized after breaking the team’s winless streak.
