Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender

Crystal Palace always seem to do well against Manchester City, but it is hard to see them holding out against Pep Guardiola's side at the moment.

Prediction:3-0

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Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

The sun is out in Manchester today for Pep Guardiola’s 49th birthday, but will he celebrate his big day with a win?

Pep has managed a birthday bonanza once before - winning El Clasico no less, at the Bernabeu in the Copa del Rey as Barca boss in 2012.

But, as well as blowing out a LOT of candles, he has another birthday challenge today - can he become the first City manager to win a Premier League game on his birthday - four of his predecessors - Brian Horton, Joe Royle, Mark Hughes and Roberto Mancini (twice) have all had a chance, and failed.

Anything less than three points and Pep will probably wish he could celebrate the same way he did when he turned 46 in 2017 -by taking his players to see La La Land at the local cinema instead., external

Saying all that, City are the Premier League top scorers with 62 goals so far, and have scored 17 goals while racking up five straight wins in all competitions.

Absolutely on fire.

I know the one you're on about, Pep, but they actually scored three in that game.

And, to be honest, that's been the problem this season. Manchester City only conceded 23 goals last term on their way to the Premier League title, but Guardiola's side have already shipped 25 this time around.

That's the same number as neighbours Manchester United and more than Leicester, City Sheffield United and Palace.

It's also 11 more than runaway leaders Liverpool.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola: "Every game you can win and lose. We've played a lot of games against Palace and we lost just one. It can happen.

"They scored an incredible goal and have good players."

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Whatever happens during the game, Crystal Palace have already succeeded in silencing Manchester City today - well, their sound system at the Etihad anyway, according to the big screens here.

No pre-match tunes today - instead you get to listen to the gentle hum of the fans as they arrive, take their seats and chat to their neighbours.

It's quite refreshing not to be deafened for a change, to be honest.

Steve Bower
Match of the Day commentator

This is a fixture that evokes memories of a rare blip in Manchester City's incredible title-winning campaign of last season, when Crystal Palace were the only team to win a league game at the Etihad Stadium, including 'that' goal from Andros Townsend.

Whilst both Wolves and Manchester United have been victorious there this season, the recent signs are that Manchester City are approaching those standards again - Aston Villa are the most recent to testify the size of the challenge ahead of Roy Hodgson's team.

Palace will certainly be organised though, and arrive in the north-west having lost only one of their last nine games - but it is some task to try and halt the league's top scorers, who have 62 goals already.

The sprinklers are currently doing there thing on the pitch as we wait for the players to emerge from the tunnel.

There's a hint of sunshine at the Etihad today but it's still pretty cold out there.

Could be an ice rink later.

Right it's 10 minutes until kick-off. It's time to get this show on the road.

Return here for full text commentary from 14:50 GMT.

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

John Stones keeps his place in Manchester City's defence, starting successive league games for only the second time this season, but Pep Guardiola makes three changes from the team that spanked Aston Villa last time out.

Ilkay Gundogan comes into midfield, while Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling return after being rested against Villa. Rodri, Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus drop to the bench.

Man City XI: Ederson, Joao Cancelo, Stones, Fernandinho, Mendy, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Silva, Bernardo Silva, Aguero, Sterling.

Subs: Bravo, Walker, Gabriel Jesus, Rodri, Mahrez, Otamendi, Foden.

Image source, BBC Sport

Crystal Palace make one change, with Cenk Tosun handed his first start since joining on loan from Everton.

Tosun will lead the attack and replaces midfielder Max Meyer, who suffered an ankle injury in last weekend’s draw against Arsenal.

Joel Ward, out since November with a knee injury, is among the Eagles substitutes.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Kelly, Tomkins, Cahill, Riedewald, Zaha, Kouyate, McCarthy, McArthur, Ayew, Tosun.

Subs: Ward, Dann, Hennessey, Wickham, McGregor, Woods, Pierrick.