Premier League champions Manchester City host Borussia Dortmund in their second group game of the 2022/23 Champions League season on Wednesday.
Despite City’s last scheduled fixture against Tottenham Hotspur being called off at the weekend, Pep Guardiola’s side will come in to their upcoming clash brimming with confidence, after beating Sevilla 0-4 away from home in the Champions League last week.
As Erling Haaland capped off his debut in Europe’s elite competition for Manchester City with a brace, while Phil Foden and Joao Cancelo got on the scoresheet with a pair of sublime strikes, the Sky Blues certainly looked the part.
While Borussia Dortmund are always a threat in Europe, the Premier League champions are perhaps facing them at the perfect time.
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Coming off the back of a 3-0 annihilation at the hands of RB Leipzig at the weekend, Edin Terzic’s side have looked hit and miss so far this campaign.
While their sights will be set on pulling off what many would regard as an upset against Manchester City on Wednesday night, a win at the Etihad Stadium may be a step too far for the Germans on current form.
In a clash between two European giants, here is how we expect the hosts to line up this week!
Predicted Team
As is the case in any major competitive fixture, Ederson will keep his place in goal for Manchester City.
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With Kyle Walker currently out injured, Joao Cancelo is more than likely to be starting at right-back come 18:45 on Wednesday night.
Ruben Dias tends to be a no-brainer to start in most competitive fixtures for City, and will likely play from the off against Borussia Dortmund.
Despite Pep Guardiola revealing during his pre-match press conference that John Stones is fit and raring to go once again this season, Manuel Akanji’s assured display against Sevilla last week may prompt him to give the Swiss international a second consecutive start in the team.
While Sergio Gomez impressed against the La Liga outfit last time out, a more experienced option at left-back in Nathan Ake could be preferred against a side of Borussia Dortmund’s calibre.
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Rodri is likely to start as the anchor in the side against the Bundesliga giants, with Kalvin Phillips perhaps looking likelier to play a more significant role against Wolves this weekend.
Ilkay Gundogan could return to Manchester City’s starting line-up after he was placed on the bench against Sevilla, to play against his former side on Wednesday night.
Coming off the back of his Man of the Match showing against Julen Lopetegui’s men last week, Kevin De Bruyne is a safe bet to be one of the first names on the team sheet.
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Similarly, Phil Foden also stood out against the Spanish opponents last week, and as such could start proceedings on the right-wing once again.
Joining Manuel Akanji and Ilkay Gundogan, Erling Haaland is one of four players set for a reunion with Borussia Dortmund from the first whistle in our predicted line-up, especially after scoring a brace in his first Champions League outing with Pep Guardiola’s side.
After a brilliant performance against Sevilla last week, Jack Grealish could keep his place in the side against Edin Terzic’s men.
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Starting XI: Ederson; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake; Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne; Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish.
Substitutes: Stefan Ortega Moreno, Scott Carson, Rico Lewis, John Stones, Sergio Gomez, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Kalvin Phillips, Bernardo Silva, Cole Palmer, Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez.
Topics: Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, Premier League, Bundesliga, Champions League, Football
Srinivas Sadhanand