Man City predicted XI to face Sevilla as Pep Guardiola suffers big injury blow

Pep Guardiola has been dealt a huge defensive injury blow ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League clash with Sevilla.

The Premier League champions take on the Spanish side on Tuesday night and will be hoping to start their European campaign with a victory.

But City suffered disappointment in the build-up to the match at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, with Guardiola confirming on Monday that John Stones and Kyle Walker will not be involved again this month due to injury.

"[They are] injured,” the former Barcelona manager told the media. “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."

The injury to Aymeric Laporte, who is still absent due to undergoing knee surgery in the summer, means City have just five fit, senior defenders to choose from, although youngsters Rico Lewis and Josh Wilson-Esbrand are options and have been included in the 21-man squad which travelled to Seville.

So too, is Manuel Akanji. He missed the weekend draw with Aston Villa due to the birth of his second son, but could make his debut for City on Tuesday.

Guardiola is likely to select Ruben Dias at centre-back, alongside either Akanji or Nathan Ake, who has just returned from injury himself.

The latter is an option at full-back, but Joao Cancelo and Sergio Gomez are likely to start on the flanks against Sevilla, with Ederson in nets.

It will probably be Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne in midfield, with Ilkay Gundogan or Bernardo Silva joining them, although rotation cannot be ruled out during this busy period. Kalvin Phillips was included in the travelling squad but is expected to be on the bench as he recovers from injury.

Silva could continue his place on the right wing, although Riyad Mahrez may start out wide after a slow beginning to the new season which has seen him play 90 minutes just once.

On the other flank, Phil Foden is the most likely option, while Julian Alvarez, Jack Grealish or Cole Palmer offer alternatives.

Erling Haaland is one of the few yet to be afforded any significant respite so far this season, but he’ll likely lead the line and look to add to his 10 goals so far scored in sky blue.

Predicted Manchester City XI: Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Ake, Gomez; Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Haaland, Foden.