Man City have wrapped up their Champions League qualification so their game vs RB Leipzig this week holds not much importance for Pep Guardiola.
Manchester City are sitting at the top of the group with 12 points and no matter what the results of the other match in the group is, the Etihad outfit will still hold onto the top spot.
RB Leipzig have sacked Jesse Marsch after a string of poor results and Achim Beierlorzer has now taken charge as the caretaker manager. The former Mainz boss has been dealt a really harsh hand since naming a side vs a team like Man City is no easy task.
Pep Guardiola though has hinted that he might ring in some changes to his starting line up meaning Leipzig still have an outside chance at picking up something from this game.
“I don’t know. [On Sunday] I will decide[on making changes],” he told the press. “I want to assess the team: the knocks, the injuries.
“I want to see the opponent again; then I will make the decision.”
Man City team news vs RB Leipzig:
Ederson will be rested which will allow Zack Steffen to come into the side and even the back-four will see a reshuffle.
Ruben Dias and Laporte played as the first-choice central defensive pairing during the 1-3 win over Watford but both of them will move to the bench, making way for John Stones and Nathan Ake.
Joao Cancelo will also move to the bench but Kyle Walker is expected to hold onto his place.
With knockout qualification done and dusted, this is the perfect game to give Rodri a rest and bring in the experienced Fernandinho in the defensive midfielder’s role.
.@BernardoCSilva has the highest win percentage in Premier League history 🐐 pic.twitter.com/MBJO0zJajR
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 6, 2021
Bernardo Silva ran the show against Watford, scoring a brace but the Portuguese is going to start on the bench on Tuesday. Kevin De Bruyne came on as a sub on Saturday so the playmaker will be handed a start this time around.
Jack Grealish was the false-nine vs the Hornets but since he’s just returned from injury, the Man City boss will not risk using him vs Leipzig.
Riyad Mahrez came off the bench on Saturday but he along with Gabriel Jesus are more or less guaranteed starters at the Red Bull Arena.
Man City predicted line up vs RB Leipzig:
Predicted Starting Line up(4-3-3): Steffen; Nathan Ake, John Stones, Walker, Zinchenko; Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Jesus, Mahrez, Foden.
