Manchester City Predicted Starting XI: We predict Pep Guardiola’s starting team as they face-off against Manchester United in the Derby
Pep Guaridola hasn't been vocal about potential summer signings.
Manchester City Predicted Starting XI: We predict Pep Guardiola’s starting team as they face-off against Manchester United in the Derby.
Coming off the back of five straight victories in all competitions, a run which includes that famous win against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, City will be hoping to continue that run at Old Trafford tomorrow.
However, they will be vary that they have been beaten by their fierce rivals twice in three games this season and will not want to lose even further ground on Premier League leaders, Liverpool.
If the Sky Blues lose their next three games they will give Liverpool the chance to win the title at Goodison Park against Everton.
Not that the City players will need any other motivation, given the opposition on Sunday afternoon.
So which players will be tasked with the challenge of overcoming United tomorrow? Here we predict Guardiola’s XI…
Goalkeeper: Ederson will return to the team, after Claudio Bravo was between the sticks during City’s League Cup triumph against Aston Villa.
Defenders: With the devastating news that France international Aymeric Laporte is out injured for another month having only just returned, Guardiola has a decision to make in the centre back positions. John Stones looked shaky at times at Wembley, leading us to think Pep will go with a flat back four of Kyle Walker, Nicolas Otamendi, Fernandinho and Benjamin Mendy.
Midfielders: Pep started with Phil Foden and David Silva in City’s League Cup win and also had a mixed team out against Sheffield Wednesday midweek. However, we think he’ll name his strongest XI with Rodri, Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan tasked to do the business at Old Trafford.
Forwards: It feels as though Pep doesn’t even know who he is going to start upfront from game to game, as Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus continue to battle it out for a starting place. However, Aguero’s goalscoring form against Man United is quite staggering, so we think he’ll get the nod with Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez either side.
Predicted XI: Ederson, Walker, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Mendy, Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Mahrez, Sterling, Aguero