Man City predicted line-up v Young Boys - Five changes from Brighton win - gallery

Manchester City could take a huge step towards securing their place in the Champions League knockout rounds on Wednesday, when they face Swiss side Young Boys.

The European champions have won their opening two matches in Group G against Red Star Belgrade and RB Leipzig, and could move eight points clear of third place in the mini table if they beat Young Boys and Leipzig also win on Wednesday. That would all but ensure City’s progression to the last 16, at the halfway point in the group.

But the Blues’ preparations for the game have not gone smoothly, with City choosing to train in Bern on a grass pitch rather than in Manchester due to the impact of Young Boys’ artificial surface. Guardiola criticised Uefa’s decision to play Wednesday’s match on plastic grass at the Wankdorf Stadium.

“Grass is better,” said the 52-year-old. “Ninety-nine percent of the teams play on grass, otherwise UEFA and FIFA would decide to play on artificial grass. It's common sense But it is what it is. UEFA allow games to be played here.

“That's one of the reasons we never train away but we travel in the morning to feel the players, how the ball runs, left, right, backwards, forwards. We try it and the players will know it immediately.”

It’s unclear whether the pitch will impact Guardiola’s team selection on Wednesday, while there’s also the minor issue of the Manchester derby to consider this weekend. With Young Boys viewed as one of the more straightforward tasks, the City boss could also choose to rotate his side, although he’s named his strongest side so far in the opening Champions League matches.

Ahead of the game, here’s how we think City will line up…