Manchester City approach Saturday’s Premier League clash with Leeds United eager to rest and rotate the squad as an energy-sapping April draws to an end.
The trip to Elland Road will be City’s ninth game of a month that has delivered European success, FA Cup disappointment and Premier League optimism.
But it has come at a slight cost, with City picking up several injuries, meaning Pep Guardiola would prefer to ring the changes ahead of Wednesday’s European second leg away to Real Madrid.
However, it seems that’s unlikely to be an option given the need to hold off Liverpool in the final throes of an absorbing title battle.
It’s City who sit at the league summit by a point, although that could change by the time they face Leeds on Saturday at 5.30pm, with Liverpool’s clash against Newcastle United taking place a few hours before.
But for Guardiola, his biggest concern is in defence, with the City boss confirming the Friday’s press conference that John Stones and Kyle Walker will be absent due to injury.
On the bright side, Joao Cancelo is set to return after his midweek Champions League suspension, boosting City’s defensive options to five.
Given the taxing schedule over recent weeks, Guardiola may try to rest a few star players at Elland Road, even if wholesale changes aren’t possible.
Ruben Dias is the most likely given he’s only just returned from a long-term injury, while Guardiola revealed last week that Kevin De Bruyne has been suffering from a niggle in his ankle.
Here’s how we think City will line up at Leeds…
1. Ederson
Karim Benzema’s panenka penalty on Wednesday may have had the aim of embarrassing the brilliant Brazilian, but there’s little that fazes the City stopper.
2. Joao Cancelo
A midweek rest means he’s likely to return to the side immediately and offer some slightly fresher legs.
3. Aymeric Laporte
A midweek rest means he’s likely to return to the side immediately and offer some slightly fresher legs.
4. Nathan Ake
Likely to play as Guardiola looks to rest at least one defender, but the former Bournemouth man could also line up at left back.