Pep Guardiola is expected to make a number of changes for Manchester City’s FA Cup clash against Bristol City on Tuesday.
It’s been a hectic recent schedule for the Blues who will play their seventh and final match of February when they travel to Ashton Gate. It’s likely to be a fixture that Guardiola has earmarked as a chance to rest key individuals such as Ederson, Rodri, Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish, who rarely miss a game for the Premier League champions.
Stefan Ortega, Sergio Gomez, Cole Palmer and Kalvin Phillips are among those who could be handed rare starts, with Guardiola asked about the latter’s lack of minutes prior to the fifth-round tie.
"Rodri is so important for us and playing really well," the City boss explained on Friday. "Kalvin is adapting and adjusting. Some players need a little bit more time without rhythm.
“It was so important to play the minutes he played at Bournemouth [on Saturday] for the rhythm. We will see tomorrow [if he plays]. We need him until the end of the season because there are many games, but Rodri is so important right now."
Meanwhile, three City players are doubts for the game. Kevin De Bruyne has missed the last two through illness and might not return in time. “Still a little illness but he is better,” Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference, when asked for the latest on De Bruyne.
Elsewhere, Aymeric Laporte is also ill while John Stones may be available following a hamstring injury, with the Yorkshireman last playing on 27 January.
With that in mind, here’s how Guardiola could set up his side on Tuesday night…
1. GK: Stefan Ortega
Played both games in the competition so far this season and expected to start again.
2. RB: Rico Lewis
Likely to be Lewis or Kyle Walker at right-back and the former will probably play.
3. CB: Manuel Akanji
Toss up between Akanji and Ruben Dias, but the latter has played more in recent weeks so could have night off.
4. CB: Nathan Ake
Stones and Laporte are unlikely to play, so the left-footed Ake might line up in the left centre-back role.