Guardiola will want to send a message about next season
IN what was originally expected to be a thrilling title decider, City will take on Liverpool tonight with the Premier League already decided.
As a result, Pep Guardiola is prioritising the FA Cup for the rest of the domestic season and named a very strong side for the 2-0 victory over Newcastle United on Sunday, which saw his team advance to the semi-finals of the competition.
Since football resumed in England, Guardiola has been very fond of making a lot of changes from gameto-game in order to keep his players as fresh as possible and reduce the risk of injuries but, even though the match is a dead rubber, it’s hard to see him weakening his side much for the visit of the champions, as a win will send a strong message ahead of next season’s title race.
One change he will almost certainly make, however, is inbetween the sticks with firstchoice goalkeeper Ederson replacing ‘cup keeper’ Claudio Bravo.
The defence in front of him could remain unchanged.
Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy are the first choice full-backs and, as long as there are no concerns over the latter’s fitness, they could remain in the side.
With Fernandinho suspended after his red card against Chelsea and John Stones and Eric Garcia only recently returning from injury, it’s unlikely that Aymeric Laporte or Nicolas Otamendi will be dislodged from the centre of defence.
Midfield could see the rested Rodri return to the side in the holdingmidfield role replacing Ilkay
Phil Foden
Foden could come back into the starting XI following fitness issues Daniel Murphy
Gundogan and Phil Foden could also come back into the starting XI following his fitness issues, in place of David Silva.
Kevin De Bruyne will likely keep his place in the midfield though, with the form he is in, and it’s also hard to see changes in attack. Raheem Sterling scored a fantastic goal against Newcastle and, although he tends to struggle against his former club, should stay in the side.
City look much better when they have a natural striker leading the line and providing a focal point so Gabriel Jesus should remain in the team and Riyad Mahrez has also done nothing to warrant losing his place.