This article is part of Football FanCast's The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Manchester City travel to Selhurst Park this Saturday to take on a Crystal Palace side who are yet to lose at Selhurst Park this season.

The Eagles have won two and drawn two of their four games in SE25 this term, and could even have won three of them were it not for Diogo Jota's last-gasp equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Wolves.

Roy Hodgson's men have started the campaign so well that a win over Pep Guardiola's side would take Palace above the back-to-back champions, although it won't be easy.

If the Citizens' last game is anything to go by however, one man's positioning could be exploited by Palace's James McArthur.

Who is it?

Rodri.

The defensive midfielder - who cost City a whopping £62.8m back in the summer - has started seven Premier League games this season following his move from Atletico Madrid.

He has looked generally solid, although his performance against Wolves last time out showed that he could be a weak link from a defensive standpoint.

City lost that game 2-0, and Ian Wright highlighted Rodri's lack of positional awareness on Match of the Day that same evening.

The 10-cap Spain international has to be mature in his role ahead of the back four as a lone defensive midfielder, but Wright highlighted how he would aimlessly go forward when trying to pinch the ball high up the field, before having his vacated area exploited by Raul Jimenez and the Wolves counter-attack.

How can Palace take advantage?

If this is something Guardiola hasn't had a chance to work with Rodri on over the international break, then McArthur could have some fun in between the lines.

The box-to-box midfielder is Palace's engine in the midfield, and he often finds himself in a No.10 role where he can pop up with some significant goals - he scored in the 3-2 win over Arsenal last season.

Hodgson must instruct the 32-year-old Scotland international to do his job defensively, but crucially also keep an eye on Rodri's movement to see if Palace could have the same luck Wolves had when being granted the chance to run at City's backline.

If the 23-year-old does go wandering once again, McArthur's energy in taking up the position and carrying the ball towards Ederson's goal could de a deciding feature in this top-six clash on Saturday.