Man City predicted line-up v Bournemouth - why Pep Guardiola is expected to name strongest XI

Manchester City had the rare luxury of a free midweek in the build-up to Saturday’s Premier League encounter against Bournemouth.

Having been eliminated by Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup third round, City weren’t involved in the competition this week, and should therefore be fresh for the clash with the Cherries.

Unlike the European champions, Bournemouth were in Carabao Cup action on Wednesday, but put in a determined display as they were eliminated by Liverpool. Andoni Iraola’s side will need a similarly dogged performance at the Etihad if Bournemouth are to come away with any points.

“Manchester City have very good players and they are coached in a perfect way so it’s tough to prepare for the games,” the Spaniard, who lost three cup finals as a player against Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.

“But as we did against Liverpool, we have to try to maximise our options, try to level it as much as we can and that’s what we have in our minds,” Iraola told the club’s website.

But that midweek rest for Guardiola’s side came at a good time, with the Blues having three games in eight days before the November international break. City face Bournemouth, then Young Boys on Tuesday, before a trip to Chelsea next weekend.

With City all but guaranteed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, and trailing leaders Tottenham Hotspur by two points in the Premier League, Guardiola is likely to prioritise domestic matches in the coming week. Therefore, the 52-year-old is expected to name his strongest line-up this weekend.

Here’s the starting XI Guardiola could name against Bournemouth…