Semenyo found the target in City’s opening game of the campaign as they came from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1 thanks to a late goal from Josko Gvardiol.

Semenyo had more touches in the opposition box than any other City player (8) and continued his record of being really consistent when it comes to finding the target for Manchester City - also having an effort on target in City’s defeat in the Community Shield to Arsenal.

Semenyo scored 17 goals in the Premier League last season and is arguably the most accurate winger in the league with 41 of his 83 shots in the Premier League last season finding the target (49% shot accuracy - 1.15 shots on target per 90).

Kamada has improved with time at Crystal Palace, settling into a midfield role alongside Adam Wharton. He’s always been willing to get involved in the midfield battle and we saw that tenacity on the opening weekend with Kamada committing one foul and collecting a yellow card. 

Kamada committed 30 fouls across 22 starts in the Premier League last season (1.42 per 90), collecting three yellow cards in the process. He often looked like he had too much ground to cover next to Wharton on the opening day of the season, and that’s a balance that could take some time to get right under Pierre Sage.

Kamada committed one foul and was shown a yellow card in this fixture last campaign. His most likely opponents here are Elliot Anderson and Marc Guehi, who were both fouled twice against Bournemouth in the opening game of the season.

Marc Guehi was deployed in midfield against Bournemouth last time out as a makeshift replacement for Rodri alongside Elliot Anderson while Manchester City attempt to secure the signing of Enzo Fernandez.

There’s every chance that Guehi continues in that role here, Maresca loves to experiment and Guehi actually did quite well in that midfield role - notably winning two fouls from 11 fuels in total. 

Guehi has always been quite good when it comes to winning fouls, and has experience with stepping into these more advanced roles having done so regularly for Crystal Palace as the left sided centre back in a back three.

Guehi won 38 fouls across his 35 starts in the Premier League last season (1.09 per 90), and that record should remain healthy this campaign - even if Guehi does eventually drop back into his usual centre back role.

Donnarumma was forced into making three saves in City’s opening game of the campaign, notably coming away with an xG prevented tally of 0.70.

I think Donnarumma will have to be at his best if City are to compete at the top of the league this season, they looked very open in transition against Bournemouth and Palace will look to play in a similar manner - having been one of the best counter attacking sides in the league under Oliver Glasner.

Crystal Palace managed 11 shots in their opening game of the season against Everton, and were pretty unlucky not to score with four efforts finding the target and being saved by Jordan Pickford, who had an xG prevented tally of 0.94 himself. 

Donnarumma made four saves in this fixture last season, and was also tested twice when Palace travelled to the Etihad despite Palace suffering heavy defeats in both matches.

Manchester City registered eight corners in their 2-1 win over Bournemouth last time out, regularly getting in positions to win these set pieces after being forced wide by Bournemouth’s mid block.

Palace may drop into an even deeper shape here to try and contain City, before looking to offer a threat on the counter attack. I’m a bit concerned that Palace may get trapped in this low block as they are expected to be without Mateta and Sarr - two of their most effective players to be able to play in this way.

Manchester City took more corners than any other side in the Premier League last season (244 - 6.42 per game) and registered nine corners in the most recent head to head meeting between the sides.

Rayan Cherki changed the game for Manchester City when he came on against Bournemouth last week, setting up both goals as Maresca’s side came from behind to win on the opening weekend of the season.

Cherki is such a great player to watch but he pairs that style with a very good end product. He registered 16 goal contributions across just 19 starts in the Premier League last season, with 12 of these being assists. 

Cherki also averaged 2.77 shots per 90 and 3.02 chances created per 90 across these games, showing his end product does have a solid underlying basis. He registered an assist in both of his league appearances against Crystal Palace last season, and I think he’ll be influential again here.

It’s been quite a tough start to the campaign for Palace and Pierre Sage, with the Eagles transitioning to a new manager and also losing key players - with Mateta and Sarr likely to be the next out of the door at the South London club.

Pino looks like one of the few Palace players who could be effective in forward areas this season, and now has extra responsibility with Palace set to lose some of their most important forward players over the last few campaigns.

Pino came off the bench to have two shots in 35 minutes in Palace’s defeat against Everton last time out, and averaged just shy of 2.0 shots per 90 in the Premier League last season as he spent the campaign adapting to the demands of the division.

Mitchell collects more yellow cards than you might expect, he’s often seen as a reliable and sometimes cautious full back - but his transition to a wing back over the last few seasons has left him with more space to cover.

Mitchell collected a yellow card in the most recent league meeting between these sides, also committing two fouls in City’s win over Palace at Selhurst Park. Maresca likes to utilise the wide areas and encourages his wingers to get involved with 1v1 duels. 

This should see Mitchell tested regularly by the likes of Foden (1.34 fouls won per 90) and Cherki (1.71 fouls won per 90) who can both offer a threat to Mitchell.