Man City kick off their Premier League campaign with an away game against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, so Guardiola’s side will dive straight away into the deeper end of the pool.
This will be City’s second competitive game of the season after they lost the Community Shield to Leicester City but despite this initial hiccup, the Cityzens are still the favourites to defend their Premier League title this time around.
Several first-team players are in doubt to play the season opener but Pep Guardiola has a really massive squad so naming a strong starting line-up should not be a problem for the manager.
City will undoubtedly be the favourites to pick up a win this weekend but their trip to London has not been cheerful in the recent past as Man City have lost their previous two league visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Man City team news vs Spurs:
Ederson was part of Brazil’s Copa America squad so he might not feature in front of goal this weekend. If this is the case then Zack Steffen will start as the number one.
John Stones was another player who was heavily involved with England in the Euros and he is most likely going to be eased back into the side. With Stones still not a 100% match fit, Nathan Ake will partner Ruben Dias in central defence for this one.
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Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne are both ruled out with injuries and this is perhaps the biggest cause of concern for the Man City manager. With De Bruyne out, Fernandinho and Rodri will pair up in central defence while Ilkay Gundogan will play a bit further up front.
Bernardo Silva also remains in the mix but he was pretty average last season so we don’t think Guardiola will name him in the starting line-up.
Jack Grealish is the marquee signing for Manchester City this summer and he should be getting the nod to start on the left flank – ahead of Raheem Sterling.
Sterling was involved in international duty just like Grealish but with Foden out, one of them will have to start and we think it’s going to be the former Aston Villa man.
Sergio Aguero moved out in the summer and Gabriel Jesus was playing in the Copa America so Ferran Torres will play up front with Riyad Mahrez operating on the right-hand side.
Man City’s predicted XI vs Tottenham:
Predicted Starting XI(4-3-3): Steffen; Nathan Ake, Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Mendy; Fernandinho, Rodri, Gundogan; Jack Grealish, Torres, Riyad Mahrez.
Stats via Fotmob.
