Man City predicted XI to face Dortmund with two defenders expected to miss out

We’re not expecting wholesale changes from Pep Guardiola for Wednesday’s Champions League clash.
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Pep Guardiola is likely to be without three defenders when Manchester City face Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

The German side travel to the Etihad in the Champions League on the back of a 3-0 win against Copenhagen last week in the competition, while City began in a similarly confident manner, beating Sevilla 4-0.

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They managed to take three points from Spain without Aymeric Laporte who remains a long-term absentee after undergoing knee surgery in the summer, while Kyle Walker and John Stones also missed out.

Speaking last week, Guardiola said: “"[They are] injured. John is not much. Kyle is not much too, but I don’t know if he will be ready for Saturday, or Dortmund or Wolves before the international break."

However, Stones was spotted in training on Tuesday morning and could be in contention to feature, as was Laporte, but it’s doubtful he’ll make an appearance until after the international break.

Laporte hasn’t played for City this season due to injury. Credit: Getty.Laporte hasn’t played for City this season due to injury. Credit: Getty.
Laporte hasn’t played for City this season due to injury. Credit: Getty.

“I don’t think so [that he’ll be on the bench against Dortmund],” Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

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“[His] Training session yesterday was partial, today complete. I spoke with the doctor, he needs a little more volume on his leg but in general he’s going well.”

A back four of Joao Cancelo, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and Sergio Gomez faced few problems in Seville last week, and could start again ahead of Ederson in nets.

Nathan Ake is another option for Guardiola at the heart of defence, with Akanji likely to make way if the former Bournemouth man were to be introduced.

In midfield, Kalvin Phillips returned last week but is not expected to be fit enough to start on Wednesday.

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Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne are among Guardiola’s most-trusted players, and they should be accompanied by either Ilkay Gundogan or Bernardo Silva in the middle.

We’re tipping Guardiola to make two changes from last week’s team. Credit: Getty.We’re tipping Guardiola to make two changes from last week’s team. Credit: Getty.
We’re tipping Guardiola to make two changes from last week’s team. Credit: Getty.

The latter may play from right flank, as he has done often this season, while Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish are City’s main options in the wide areas.

Foden tends to play, and a free weekend means he and his City team-mates should be fresh, which will impact Guardiola’s selection plans.

One man who will be eager to impress against Dortmund is Erling Haaland, after the Norwegian striker left the club this summer to join City.

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He has already netted 12 in sky blue and would love to grab a few more against his former employers. Julian Alvarez is the alternative up front, but it’s hard to see Haaland being denied a starting berth on Wednesday.

Manchester City predicted XI: Ederson; Cancelo, Akanji, Dias, Gomez; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Haaland, Foden.