Manchester City News have taken a stab at predicting Pep Guardiola’s potential line-up for his side’s upcoming clash against Huddersfield in the EFL Cup.
Considering Guardiola has named the same XI in three consecutive fixtures, it is likely that he will heavily rotate his squad.
Pep Guardiola revealed his players were “incredibly tired” against Arsenal during their 1-1 draw after having played two games in the space of four days.
Furthermore, Manchester City have a fair few injuries, which means the two-time treble-winner has no choice but to rotate his squad against Huddersfield.
Man City team news vs Huddersfield
Mateo Kovacic will return from injury soon but some of the Croatian’s teammates will take time to return to full fitness.
Rayan Cherki remains injured while Rayan Ait-Nouri is sidelined through an ankle injury.
Omar Marmoush is sidelined through a knee injury for a number of weeks.
Kalvin Phillips suffered an Achilles injury and is yet to return to full fitness as well.
Furthermore, Pep Guardiola confirmed during his press conference that Erling Haaland could be in contention to face Burnley next weekend after suffering back pain against Arsenal.
Guardiola said via BeanymanSports: “Hopefully, he can be [fit] for the next weekend.”
“It’s been such a demanding week and the last game especially and sometimes the players have problems but I think he’ll be fine next weekend. I hope so.”
Divine Mukasa could start vs Huddersfield in the EFL Cup
As far as the predicted line-up is concerned, Gianluigi Donnarumma could be benched against Huddersfield, with Pep Guardiola starting Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford instead — who has featured on the bench in three successive games.
With Abdukodir Khusanov sustaining a knock against Arsenal that meant he had to be taken off at half-time, Matheus Nunes could also replace him at right-back.
John Stones came off the bench against the Gunners and with Ruben Dias starting three games in a row, the Englishman could take his teammate’s place in central defence.
Stephen Mfuni trained with Manchester City’s first-team recently and considering he was named on the bench against both Manchester United, perhaps he could be handed his debut from the start — with Josko Gvardiol being rested.
Nathan Ake could start at left-back, with Nico O’Reilly also being given a well-deserved rest after his excellent showings against United, Napoli and Arsenal.
Nico Gonzalez could also help Rodri take a breather and return to Manchester City’s starting XI against Huddersfield in defensive midfield, after starting the first two games of their season.
Rico Lewis could potentially start in place of Tijjani Reijnders in midfield, as the Englishman is yet to start a game since playing against Tottenham Hotspur.
Divine Mukasa could also be handed his first start as he has been named in City’s matchday squads against Manchester United, Napoli and Arsenal. Mukasa claimed he’s “similar” to Kevin De Bruyne in terms of also being a number 10 and as a result, he could replace Phil Foden.
The only player who could retain his place in the line-up from the Sky Blues’ trip to the Emirates Stadium is captain Bernardo Silva, as Pep Guardiola may count on his experience to lead a potentially rotated side.
With Haaland not being fully fit, Oscar Bobb could be deployed as a false nine — a position he has played in during City’s recent pre-season tours.
While on the left-wing, Savinho may be given a chance to get back to match-fitness after coming off the bench in his last two outings since returning from injury.
Man City predicted line-up vs Huddersfield: Trafford, Nunes, Stones, Mfuni, Ake, Nico, Lewis, Mukasa, Bernardo, Bobb, Savinho
