The upcoming clash between Manchester City and Juventus will determine which out of the two sides will top Group G of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Pep Guardiola will be viewing the contest as a must-win game as the Serie A giants have a better goal difference than his side due to scoring one more goal (nine).
If Manchester City draw or even lose their next game, they would finish second and potentially face Real Madrid in the Round of 16 if Xabi Alonso’s side top Group H by getting a result against RB Salzburg.
Players like Rayan Cherki intend to step up for Manchester City and doing so against Juventus could be a message to the world that the Frenchman and his side are indeed the real deal.
Ahead of the much-awaited affair, Pep Guardiola could make as many as six changes to the side that beat Al-Ain 6-0 earlier this week.
Rayan Cherki to return to the starting line-up for Man City vs Juventus
Despite keeping a clean sheet in his last game, Stefan Ortega could lose his place to Ederson Moraes for Manchester City’s most important game of the competition against Juventus.
However, Matheus Nunes, who started on the right flank could keep his place in the XI as since the second half of last season, the former Wolves midfielder has emerged as City’s most in-form right-back.
Abdukodir Khusanov, who was deployed as a right-back could be benched as Ruben Dias could return to the fold while Josko Gvardiol, who started in the previous encounter could take Manuel Akanji’s place as the centre-back duo.
Pep Guardiola praised Rayan Ait-Nouri after his debut and much like Nunes, he could retain his place in the side as well.
Tijjani Reijnders impressed in holding midfield against Wydad and against Juventus, Nico Gonzalez might have to watch proceedings from the sidelines as the Dutchman already looks like a key player.
Bernardo Silva, however could start once again after assisting one of Ilkay Gundogan’s two goals against Al Ain.
Despite Gundogan’s heroics, Cherki could come into the side for the German after his dazzling display off the bench against the Emirati club.
Due to Akanji’s potential omission and Nunes returning to right-back, Phil Foden could start on the right-wing, with the licence to drift inside.
Despite dispatching his penalty against Al Ain, Erling Haaland missed a few gilt-edged opportunities and against Juventus, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will hope he is at his clinical best again.
Finally, on the left-wing, Omar Marmoush could be drafted back into the XI in place of Claudio Echeverri, despite him scoring a wonderful free-kick during his first start for City.
Man City predicted line-up vs Juventus: Ederson, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri, Reijnders, Bernardo, Cherki, Foden, Haaland, Marmoush
Man City team news vs Juventus
Mateo Kovacic remains ruled out through injury and has not been named in the squad while Rico Lewis is suspended to face Juventus after his sending off during Manchester City’s win against Wydad.
With Claudio Echeverri twisting his ankle in the previous game, he could be sidelined as well.
