Pep Guardiola might have confirmed four Man City starters to face Real Madrid

Pep Guardiola made four changes to his Manchester City side to face Crystal Palace, hinting at the players who could be in line to face Real Madrid.

Phil Foden, hat-trick hero against Aston Villa, dropped out at Selhurst Park, as did Manu Akanji, Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku. The first three of that group will be confident of starting at the Bernabeu - Akanji has been preferred in the bigger games recently such as at Anfield and against Arsenal.

Guardiola said he would have 'loved' to have played Foden, but pointed to his workload in recent weeks, including two starts for England, and the upcoming trip to Madrid as reason for him having to sit this one out. "It was difficult. Not just him. All the guys as a manager when you don't allow players to play it's tough," Guardiola explained pre-match. "But there are a lot of games.

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"The game Phil plays vs Arsenal, plays 96 minutes in friendly game with national team. There are a lot of games, we decide for that. If we win, it's a great decision. If we lose, why did I do that?

"I thought a lot to let them [Foden and De Bruyne] play [together]. After we arrive early to Manchester back, then to Madrid. I'd love to have Phil on the pitch, I'm not stupid, I like to see him. A lot of games, a lot of players."

Guardiola said the schedule was the reason he dropped Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne against Aston Villa, with both returning against Palace along with John Stones. Ederson was back from injury but Stefan Ortega retained the gloves, meaning there could still be a surprise starting spot for Ortega up