Manchester City Face Crystal Palace in First Premier League Away Test

Manchester City are facing Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Friday night in their first away fixture of the 2026/27 Premier League season.

The encounter, which kicked off at 8pm UK time, is City’s second league match under new manager Enzo Maresca as the former Chelsea boss continues his early attempt to shape the defending side around his tactical approach.

City travelled to London after beginning their Premier League campaign with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Bournemouth, scoring twice in the closing stages to secure all three points.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, entered Friday’s fixture looking for their first points of the campaign after suffering a 2-0 defeat away to Everton in their opening match.

Maresca made one change to his starting line-up for the clash, with Rayan Cherki named in the team while new signing Ayyoub Bouaddi was included among the substitutes.

The 18-year-old Bouaddi was declared available for the encounter after joining City from Lille, giving Maresca another midfield option as the club begins what is expected to be another demanding domestic and European campaign.

Friday’s game also marks City’s first Premier League away assignment under Maresca.

City went into the fixture with an impressive recent record at Selhurst Park, having not suffered a defeat at the ground since April 2015.

The Manchester club will be hoping to build momentum from their opening-day victory and maintain a perfect start to the new Premier League season.

The match was still in progress at the time of filing.