Pep Guardiola to make five changes, £300,000-a-week player to start… Man City predicted line-up vs Fulham
Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, reacts with Erling Haaland of Manchester City (obscured) following the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 L…Photo by Christian Hofer – UEFA/UEFA
Pep Guardiola to make five changes, £300,000-a-week player to start… Man City predicted line-up vs Fulham
Manchester City will be hoping to return to winning ways at the Etihad Stadium after their 2-2 draw against Arsenal as they prepare to face Fulham on Saturday.
In the Champions League, City convincingly swatted Slovan Bratislava away 4-0 on Tuesday night and bounced back after their recent 1-1 draw against Newcastle United.
However, the Sky Blues will be intending to put the pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool this weekend.
Arne Slot’s side, who are one point clear at the top of the table travel to Selhurst Park to go toe-to-toe with Crystal Palace.
Ahead of Manchester City’s upcoming contest, Pep Guardiola could make as many as five changes to the side that triumphed in Slovakia.
Manchester City’s Jack Grealish during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 training and press conference at Manchester City Football…
Despite Stefan Ortega keeping a clean sheet against Slovan Bratislava, normal services are expected to resume at the Etihad Stadium with Ederson Moraes looking likely to return to the side.
Having set up Erling Haaland’s equaliser in what was yet another brilliant performance, Pep Guardiola raved about Rico Lewis’ heroics as he could keep Kyle Walker out of the side against Fulham as well.
With John Stones putting in a solid shift in the Champions League, he could be rewarded with a start.
Manuel Akanji, however, could be rested after starting throughout the ongoing season for City — with Ruben Dias taking his place.
Josko Gvardiol has cemented his place as Manchester City’s first-choice left-back this season and until Nathan Ake returns to full fitness, it is difficult to imagine him being benched anytime soon.
Ilkay Gundogan put in an impressive audition against Slovan Bratislava as an alternative to Rodri in defensive midfield and he could be set to start once again on Saturday.
However, Matheus Nunes could be instructed to return to the bench, considering Bernardo Silva, who has started regularly this season was rested for the game.
Having scored and assisted in Europe’s elite competition mid-week, Phil Foden seems set to start as his boyhood club’s number 10 once again.
Savinho, who started on the left-wing could be asked to shift to the right flank, with Jeremy Doku losing his place to the in-form Jack Grealish.
The £300,000-a-week winger came off the bench against Slovan Bratislava — a decision that could be indicated that Pep Guardiola was trying to keep him fresh ahead of City’s next game.
Pep Guardiola revealed the reason why he took Erling Haaland off against the Slovakian side was to preserve his fitness and his revelation could hint that he is set for another start before the international break.
Manchester City predicted line-up vs Fulham: Ederson, Lewis, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Gundogan, Bernardo, Savinho, Foden, Grealish, Haaland
