Evening Standard
·18 August 2024
Evening Standard
·18 August 2024
Marc Guehi starts today’s Premier League opener despite Newcastle bids
Marc Guehi will start for Crystal Palace in today’s Premier League opener at Brentford as Daichi Kamada makes his debut.
Palace begin the new Premier League campaign this weekend when they visit London rivals Brentford, and the Eagles do not have many fitness concerns to worry about at present.
The biggest talk in the build-up to this afternoon’s clash has been the future of Guehi, amid a fourth rejected bid from Newcastle for the defender. But he is set to play despite the speculation.
Cheick Doucoure returned at the end of last season following a long rehabilitation period in the aftermath of a snapped Achilles tendon, but he’s only on the bench after a fresh injury concern during pre-season.
Matheus Franca, meanwhile, suffered throughout last season with lower back pain and an injury to his hip. He will not feature here due to a rib issue, despite his involvement in Palace training this summer.
Palace welcomed Jean-Philippe Mateta back to training on Wednesday following his five-goal haul for France at the Olympic Games in Paris. The silver medallist starts against Brentford.
Dean Henderson is in goal, with Sam Johnstone having been put up for sale and dropped to the No32 shirt this term.
Chadi Riad and Ismaila Sarr could make their debuts off the bench.
Crystal Palace XI: Henderson; Andersen, Guehi, Richards; Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Kamada, Eze; Mateta
Subs: Johnstone, Riad, Clyne, Schlupp, Lerma, Doucoure, Ayew, Sarr, Edouard
Injuries: Franca
Time and date: 2pm BST on Sunday August 18, 2024
Venue: Gtech Community Stadium
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