Pep Guardiola will need to balance the need for freshness and experience when selecting his starting XI ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest.
The Manchester City manager expressed his concern that City travel to the Midlands less than 72 hours after their 4-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion and said his players will have little time to rest and recuperate.
Guardiola shared a similar concern in the wake of last week’s FA Cup win over Chelsea, which came three days after the Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. Despite that, the City boss didn’t make wholesale changes for the semi-final win at Wembley.
At this stage of the season, Guardiola tends to stick with the players he knows can produce big-game performances and it’s likely City will go with a side that is close to their strongest XI. John Stones and Ruben Dias are two obvious contenders to return to the team though, after both were rested in the midweek win over Brighton.
If Guardiola were to rotate, Oscar Bobb also didn’t play on the south coast, while Rico Lewis, Sergio Gomez, Matheus Nunes, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku were introduced from the bench.
City could also have a fully fit squad for the game. Erling Haaland was the only player who missed the win over Brighton and Guardila said in the build up to Sunday’s match that the Norwegian is recovering from a muscular knock.
But will he start at the City Ground, and how will City line up? Here’s the team we think Guardiola could select…
1. GK: Ederson
Kept a rare clean sheet at the Amex, the keeper's first in the league since late February.
2. RB: Kyle Walker
Was outstanding against Brighton and set up two of City's goals in an attacking display from right-back.
3. CB: John Stones
Has been struggling with a few niggles in recent weeks, but the England international should be fine to start at the back.
4. CB: Ruben Dias
Afforded a rare midweek rest and is expected to come back into the side in Nottingham.