Man City predicted XI to face West Ham with three fitness concerns for Pep Guardiola

The Manchester City boss could select a similar starting XI to last weekend’s Community Shield.

Manchester City return to Premier League action this weekend when they travel to West Ham United.

The Blues’ season began last Saturday with a 3-1 Community Shield loss to Liverpool, and Pep Guardiola will hope for a better performance from his players against the Hammers.

Erling Haaland had a disappointing debut for City in Leicester, and failed to link effectively with his new team-mates.

He’ll look to put that right when the league campaign gets up and running, and a goal on his league debut would curtail any tentative suggestions that the Norwegian will struggle to adapt to Premier League football.

Three other summer signings could be involved at the London Stadium, although Stefan Ortega Moreno is not likely to play in place of first-choice Ederson. Julian Alvarez came off the bench to score for the Premier League champions in the Community Shield, although Kalvin Phillips was an unused substitute.

Given the nature of City’s pre-season - Guardiola’s men have played just three games in preparation for the West Ham clash - a few players may be lacking match fitness.

Three in particular who might not be fit enough to start yet are John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden, all of whom were absent from the summer tour to America and therefore missed the opportunity to play in friendly games against Club America and Bayern Munich.

The trio were named on the bench last weekend, and are unlikely to be ready to start when City face David Moyes’s men this Sunday.

It’s for that reason we’re tipping the Citizens to start with a similar team on Sunday from the one which began the 3-1 loss to Liverpool last weekend.

Here’s how we think they’ll line up…