Predicted Manchester City XI to face Hoffenheim in the Champions League
Manchester City suffered their first defeat in the Premier League as Chelsea put an end to their unbeaten run with a comfortable 2-0 win at the Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Citizens slipped to 2nd in the standings for the first time this season but Pep Guardiola’s men will have no major headaches when they play host to Hoffenheim for the final game of the UEFA Champions League group stages on Wednesday night.
City qualified to the knockout rounds with a 2-2 draw away from home against Lyon in their previous game and they will once again be the favourites to claim all three points, having previously beaten the German outfit 2-1 on Matchday 2.
Team News
Pep Guardiola will be expected to make quite a few changes to the line-up that faced Chelsea last week. David Silva suffered a minor hamstring injury in the last game and is doubtful to feature on Wednesday while Oleksandr Zinchenko will be pushing for a return from his nasal injury.
Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne are not yet fully fit and Guardiola is unlikely to risk them in the dead-rubber while Claudio Bravo, Eliaquim Mangala and Benjamin Mendy are long-term absentees.
Formation: 4-3-3
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Predicted XI
1. Arijanet Muric (GK)
The youngster hasn’t been involved in the Premier League but he might get his chance between the sticks for this one.
2. Danilo (RB)
Guardiola might be tempted to rest Kyle Walker ahead of the game against Everton on Saturday.
3. Nicolas Otamendi (CB)
The Argentinian has looked really solid whenever he has been given a chance and he should replace John Stones who deserves a rest.
4. Vincent Kompany (CB)
He hasn’t played much in the Premier League this season but Guardiola must hand him a start for this dead-rubber.
5. Fabian Delph (LB)
Zinchenko is still doubtful to make it to the first-team so the Englishman is likely to continue.
6. Fernandinho (CDM)
The Brazilian did not have the best of games against Chelsea and he will be expected to put in an improved shift in central midfield.
7. Phil Foden (LAM)
The highly-rated youngster hasn’t had much game time this season and this will be a good opportunity for Guardiola to test him out.
8. Ilkay Gundogan (RAM)
He did not start against Chelsea, which might be an indication that he will be handed a start in the Champions League on Wednesday.
9. Raheem Sterling (RW)
The former Liverpool man wasn’t at the top of his game against Chelsea but he has always been a lively presence down the flanks.
10. Brahim Diaz (LW)
The Spaniard has impressed in whatever little opportunity he has been given and Guardiola should hand him a start for this one.
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11. Gabriel Jesus (ST)
The Brazilian scored a hat-trick against Shakhtar in the group stages and should start up front in the absence of Aguero.
