Manchester City Predicted XI: We predict manager Pep Guardiola’s starting XI as City travel to Sheffield United in the lunchtime Premier League match
Pep Guaridola hasn't been vocal about potential summer signings.
Manchester City Predicted XI: We predict manager Pep Guardiola’s starting XI as City travel to Sheffield United in the lunchtime Premier League match.
Following an impressive 3-0 victory away in the Champions League against Marseille midweek, City travel across the Pennines hoping to take all three points from the Blades.
The Sky Blues were disappointed to be held to a 1-1 draw in their last league outing against West Ham United and will be desperate to get their domestic campaign back to winning ways.
Guardiola’s men still face injury issues in the striking positions, but Pep will feel his team has enough to overcome Chris Wilder’s side who are struggling this season.
Here we predict Guardiola’s XI…
Goalkeeper:
Ederson: The first choice Brazilian will continue to keep his place between the sticks and Guardiola will be hoping his distribution will be key once again. The goalkeeper position is one of the only areas on the pitch where City do not have vast injuries problems.
Defenders:
Since the thumping to Leicester City, Guardiola’s men have been much better defensively, only conceding three goals in their last six games across all competitions. Natahn Ake could return to the squad following his slight knock, but we expect Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias to start at centre back. That leaves Kyle Walker at right back and Joao Cancelo on the other side.
Midfielders:
Like the rest of his team, Guardiola is not afraid to tinker with his midfield. We believe the Spaniard will respect his opponent and name Rodri in the sitting midfield role alongside Ilkay Gundogan. That leaves City’s creative talisman Kevin de Bruyne to be given licence to get forward and cause problems for the Blades defence.
Forwards:
The striker position is where Guardiola is struggling most, with both Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus out for at least three weeks. Raheem Sterling has had to play as a striker in some matches, but youngster Ferran Torres has also come into the side and has been performing well. We expect Torres to be given the nod again, with Riyad Mahrez one side and Phil Foden the other, with Sterling given a well-earned rest.
Predicted XI: Ederson, Walker, Laporte, Dias, Cancelo, Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne, Foden, Mahrez, Torres