Man City predicted XI gallery for Copenhagen clash - Pep Guardiola tipped to make six changes
Manchester City are expected to make wholesale alterations for Tuesday’s game.
Pep Guardiola may decide to rest several players for Manchester City’s Champions League clash with Copenhagen.
The Blues travel to the Danish capital on Tuesday knowing they will secure their place in the last-16 with a win.
City made light work of Copenhagen last week, winning 5-0 thanks to an Erling Haaland brace and an own-goal from Davit Khocholava in the first half, before Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez netted in the second period.
It was a straightforward assignment for City when the sides met in Manchester, and with that in mind they could be tempted to rest several players on Tuesday in the midst of such a busy fixture schedule.
Guardiola’s men play eight games in October and face a huge clash against Liverpool next weekend in the Premier League, a match that will still be seen as one of the club’s toughest fixtures this season despite Liverpool’s troubles in the early months of the new campaign.
There are also a few injuries for the City boss to contend with. Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips have had operations in recent weeks and won’t be back soon, while John Stones isn’t expected to be involved in either of the upcoming matches due to a hamstring issue he picked up on international duty.
Guardiola also gave a small indication of his selection plans for Tuesday during Saturday’s win over Southampton. Ilkay Gundogan didn’t play at all while Phil Foden was replaced early and Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Mahrez were also taken off.
Meanwhile,Haaland is yet to be given a rest and has started all of the club’s competitive matches this season. Perhaps Copenhagen could be an opportunity to rest the prolific Norwegian.
Here’s how we think City will line up in midweek and the six changes we’re tipping Guardiola to make.
1. Ederson
One player who doesn’t need to be rested, the goalkeeper will start barring any last-minute injury.
2. Joao Cancelo
Manuel Akanji played at right-back on Saturday with City struggling for full-back options, but Cancelo could switch from the left flank for the trip to Denmark.
3. Ruben Dias
Played the full 90 minutes on Saturday but could still be selected from the off against Copenhagen.
4. Aymeric Laporte
Didn’t play on Saturday and is still recovering from surgery he underwent in the summer, but this looks like a good game for him to get 90 minutes under his belt.