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Crystal Palace passed a Premier League record last week when they failed to find the net against Southampton.

I watched that game and they came close twice with Fraser Forster a cat in goal denying them.

Palace now face City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle in a daunting Premier League run - but Hodgson insisted he will not set a points target for that challenging schedule.

"Set yourself a points target? That would be setting us up to fail," said Hodgson. "We need performances. The players are playing for places in the team, to impress me and my coaching staff."

The teams will be with us any second as I can see Scott Dann walking down the steps in the tunnel. Yep, here we go....

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Much has been made about Crystal Palace and the fact they are yet to register a goal.

But the stats arguably show they are not exactly incapable of launching attacks. If we look at how many shots teams have had this season - including attempts which are blocked - the Eagles are joint seventh in the standings.

Swansea have had only 30 and sit bottom of the pile, with Everton one place better off on 42.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

It is safe to say that - the travelling Palace fans apart, obviously - most people inside the Etihad Stadium are hoping to see Sergio Aguero get the hat-trick he needs to beat Eric Brook's record of 177 goals and become Manchester City's all-time leading scorer.

Among those who would love to be able to say 'I was there' is Rachel Jackson, who is over from Bangor in Northern Ireland to see her first City game, with her dad, Jonathan.

Aguero is Rachel's favourite player, and she told BBC Sport: "He's fantastic - he scores lots of goals, all of the time. This is my first match and I would be very happy if I saw him break the record."

Image source, BBC Sport

Dad Jonathan, who is originally from Manchester and is a former season-ticket holder, says: "We flew here this morning and we have only just managed to get here because we had a three-hour delay.

"We are both very tired but hopefully it will be worth it - it would be great to see Sergio do it today - finger's crossed he does."

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson: "One shouldn't be worried, anxious or scared by the challenge ahead. We must embrace it."

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: "I knew from hearing about the Premier League that every single team can beat the other one. What I saw from Palace against Soton and Burnley, I showed to my players the chances they created in two games. They have quality now."

Would you be a manager at the age of 70 like Roy Hodgson? "Definitely not. I promise you. I love golf."

Image source, Reuters

While I bring you a close up of Mamadou Sakho's hair, I can tell you Roy Hodgson is chewing the fat with Manchester City assistant Brian Kidd in the technical area.

Hodgson is in a suit, the rain is falling a few feet away from him and he's clearly putting the world to rights with Kidd.

Back in the tunnel a host of mascots line a walkway and are ready for a moment they will cherish and tell pals about in school on Monday. One young man has his shirt covered in signatures.

These kids haven't lived in truth, I used to run out with the mighty Merthyr Tydfil. Now that's proper football...

With a stat like this, surely you start Jesus? Not today says Pep.

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Jesus has yet to taste defeat in a league game since he joined Manchester City.

You know all those cliches about how the Premier League is the toughest in the world? He probably has no idea what people are talking about.

He's managed 11 goals in those 15 games too by the way. Oh and that mark of 15 games without a loss is a record for any new player in the league.

He's not bad then?

You see, to me, that Crystal Palace side is not bad at all on paper.

What do you think? Tweet me on #bbcfootball.

I'll say this though, Pep Guardiola has missed a trick in not starting Jesus. More on that next. On the plus side, that kippers a few fantasy football selections.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola makes eight changes from the side that beat West Brom 2-1 in midweek. Sergio Aguero starts ahead of Gabriel Jesus in attack while Leroy Sane retains his place in the side after scoring twice against the Baggies.

Man City: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Mendy, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, D Silva, Sterling, Sane, Aguero. Subs: Bravo, Yaya Toure, Bernardo, G Jesus, Mangala, Danilo, Delph

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Mamadou Sakho makes his first Premier League start for Crystal Palace since making a permanent move to the club. Timothy Fosu-Mensah also comes in for Joel Ward.

Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Van Aanholt, Milivojevic, Dann, Cabaye, Loftus-Cheek, Townsend, Sakho, Schlupp, Benteke. Fosu-Mensah. Subs: Speroni, Ward, Tomkins, McArthur, Sako, Puncheon, Riedewald.

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Steve Bower
Match of the Day commentator

When you are bottom of the division without a point and 450 minutes without a Premier League goal, the last place you would want to travel to at the moment is Manchester.

But that's the scenario for Crystal Palace as they face City this weekend and United seven days later.

They will feel that returning with anything to south London will be a welcome bonus before facing Chelsea at Selhurst Park in an incredibly tough period.

Roy Hodgson will need all his experience to try and put together a plan to put the brakes on City's early-season pace, with Pep Guardiola's team already averaging three goals a game and looking imperious going forward.

So Welcome to the Etihad, home of a side yet to lose this season and who are averaging over three goals a game.

The side visiting have no wins and no goals - as has been well publicised.

But they do have Roy Hodgson, a man who loves nothing more than two banks of four lined up to spoil, nullify and generally frustrate. That order looks a big one today. Like Everest... like some sort of Man Vs Food challenge... you get the picture.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City fans may well think it's a day for joy, face paint, flags and general happiness - this after all will be a cricket score will it not?

Free-scoring home side, non-scoring away side, only one outcome?

Disgaree? Tweet me on #bbcfootball or @LukeReddy and tell me why. For now, I'm getting my abacus so I can keep count of the goals...

Image source, Getty Images