Man City suffered a 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend and this was a really rude awakening call for Pep Guardiola, especially since Spurs were without their talisman, Harry Kane.
Playing their first game of the season, all the City players looked really lethargic and muted but we expect them to bounce back with a statement of intent when Manchester City take on Norwich in their first home game of the campaign.
City have scored a staggering 14 goals in their previous three matches against the Canaries and the last time these two sides met, Guardiola’s side ended up winning that encounter 5-0.
Pep Guardiola has only two injury concerns going into matchweek two so the Manchester City boss will have a big selection dilemma, particularly in the attacking departments.
Manchester City team news vs Norwich:
Benjamin Mendy was a complete failure at left-back vs Spurs so Zinchenko will come back into the side while Joao Cancelo is replaced by Kyle Walker on the right-hand side.
Nathan Ake partnered Ruben Dias in central defence last time around but it’s time for John Stones to reprise his role in the starting line-up. Stones remained an unused sub vs Spurs but he is sure to start against the Canaries.
Ilkay Gundogan joins Phil Foden on the sidelines with a shoulder injury so he will miss out this weekend meaning Rodri will pair up with Fernandinho in the middle of the pitch.
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Jack Grealish got that No 10 role against Spurs while Raheem Sterling was operating on the left flank. But both these players had little joy as Tanganga came up with a five-star performance.
Many pundits will be hoping that Pep Guardiola pushes Grealish on the wing and brings back Kevin De Bruyne the playmaker’s role. But since Norwich are not the toughest of opponents, we think the manager will be eager to test his new formation one more time.
Ferran Torres had a really average game vs Spurs and he should be replaced by Gabriel Jesus up front with Riyad Mahrez operating on the right-hand side. Bernardo Silva is once again expected to miss out while De Bruyne should be coming off the bench – if needed.
Man City predicted line-up vs Norwich:
Predicted XI(4-2-3-1): Ederson; John Stones, Ruben Dias, Walker, Zinchenko; Rodri, Fernandinho, Jack Grealish/De Bruyne; Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Mahrez.
Injury updates via Premier Injuries.
