Man City are back in action this week as the Premier League 2019-20 resumes after an extensive break. And in their first match, the Citizens will have to host North London side Arsenal.
The Premier League title race is practically over and all Guardiola can now do is delay the inevitable. So if Man City fail to pick up a win in midweek then Liverpool will have the chance to be crowned the champions in the Merseyside Derby next weekend.
Man City have won 28 of their last 33 home matches in the league so beating Arsenal should not be a major cause of concerns but all the players are pretty rusty after such a prolonged break so Guardiola will undoubtedly have to be extra cautious.
The Man City boss has all his players fully fit but we think, Guardiola could rotate a lot of his players as he could be looking at these matches as preparations for the remaining Champions League games and also the next season.
Man City team news vs Arsenal:
The absence of Aymeric Laporte has been a major blow for City this season but the defender has used the lockdown to his advantage and is now fully fit.
The Frenchman should start in central defence alongside John Stones or Nicolas Otamendi but Pep Guardiola could also throw in a surprise and keep Fernandinho at centre-back in this match.
Benjamin Mendy has not been in fine form so far this season but the former Ligue 1 man should get the nod ahead of Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back while Kyle Walker plays on the right.
If Fernandinho starts in central defence then it will be Rodri who will play in the defensive midfield area with Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan expected to play a bit further up the pitch.
Bernardo Silva played on the right-hand side of midfield vs Man United before the lockdown but the Portuguese should start on the bench alongside David Silva.
Raheem Sterling has been in top form for Man City so far this season and the England international will reprise his role on the left flank.
Leroy Sane has also fully recovered from his injury and he will be in contention to start vs Arsenal. We think it’s Riyad Mahrez who will get a starting berth but will be replaced by the German some time in the second half of the match.
Sergio Aguero should theoretically start upfront on Wednesday but Pep Guardiola could also opt to give Gabriel Jesus a chance.
Man City’s predicted XI vs Arsenal:
Predicted XI: Ederson; Benjamin Mendy, Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte, Stones/Otamendi; Fernandinho/Rodri, Kevin de Bruyne, Gundogan; Sterling, Mahrez, Aguero/Jesus.
Injury updates via Premier injuries.
