Man City predicted XI to face Bournemouth - Pep Guardiola tipped to make three changes

John Stones, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez could be selected in the Manchester City team this weekend.
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Manchester City could rotate their squad when Bournemouth travel to the Etihad this weekend.

The champions began the defence of their Premier League crown with a 2-0 win over West Ham United on Sunday, with Erling Haaland grabbing his first goals for the Blues.

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He’s likely to make his home debut against Bournemouth, but Pep Gurdiola may decide to introduce several players who have yet to start in City’s previous two games this season.

Summer signing Julian Alvarez was not selected from the off against Liverpool in the Community Shield, or in the win over West Ham.

Kalvin Phillips could be handed his first Manchester City start at the weekend. Credit: Getty.Kalvin Phillips could be handed his first Manchester City start at the weekend. Credit: Getty.
Kalvin Phillips could be handed his first Manchester City start at the weekend. Credit: Getty.

The same is true of Kalvin Phillips, although his participation against Bournemouth is now in doubt after Guardiola confirmed in Friday’s press conference that he has picked up a niggle, along with Cole Palmer.

John Stones has also struggled for minutes and wasn’t involved in either of the season’s opening games.

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But will giving these players some game-time influence Guardiola’s team selection against Bournemouth on Saturday?

City’s selection choices

One player who will almost certainly start is Ederson, with the Brazilian beginning the campaign with a clean sheet.

John Stones hasn’t played for City so far this season. Credit: Getty.John Stones hasn’t played for City so far this season. Credit: Getty.
John Stones hasn’t played for City so far this season. Credit: Getty.

In defence, Guardiola has just two senior options at full-back: Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo. He’s also not blessed with choices at the heart of defence with Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake starting the last two, ahead of Stones, whose pre-season was limited as he didn’t join the team on a tour to America.

However, Guardiola has more options in midfield. Bernardo Silva has been in the headlines this week as he continues to be linked with a move to Barcelona, although City deny a bid was ever agreed for the Portugal midfielder, as had been reported elsewhere.

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Silva started on the bench last week and could play on Saturday, while Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan might feature, with Phillips a doubt.

After opening the season with a brace, it would be a surprise not to see Haaland start against Bournemouth. Alvarez is the only alternative in the striker role.

Out wide, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez are the main options. Grealish is the only one of the trio who started the last two, and could be rotated this weekend.

Manchester City predicted XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Cancelo; Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Haaland, Foden.