City begin their Champions League campaign away to Porto tonight, and Enzo Maresca has some interesting decisions to make with the Manchester derby looming on Sunday.
Nico O’Reilly and Jérémy Doku have not travelled because of back and calf problems respectively. Otherwise, Maresca has a 22-man squad to choose from at the Estádio do Dragão.
Changes likely for City in Porto
Gianluigi Donnarumma should continue in goal, with Marc Guéhi and Rúben Dias our choice in the middle of the defence.
There could be changes either side of them. Matheus Nunes says he is now “100% fit”, while Rayan Aït-Nouri offers another fresh option on the left.
Midfield is probably the hardest bit to call. Elliot Anderson has started the season well, but this looks like a decent opportunity to bring Ayyoub Bouaddi back into the side.
Maresca gave a clue after the Coventry win when discussing Bouaddi, Ryan McAidoo and Iliman Ndiaye. He said all three need to begin picking up Champions League minutes, although that stopped short of guaranteeing any of them a place in tonight’s starting XI.
Bouaddi already knows this competition from his time with Lille, so we’re backing him to partner Anderson. That would give Enzo Fernández a breather after he was unexpectedly called into the starting XI against Coventry when O’Reilly pulled out during the warm-up.
Phil Foden could return further forward, but we’d keep Ndiaye in despite the cramp that ended his debut slightly early. Rayan Cherki completes the three behind Erling Haaland.
Our predicted Man City XI
Donnarumma; Nunes, Guéhi, Dias, Aït-Nouri; Anderson, Bouaddi; Ndiaye, Cherki, Foden; Haaland.
That would leave Antoine Semenyo among a very strong group of attacking options from the bench.
Haaland is the other obvious talking point. Maresca has admitted City will need to find opportunities to rest their No.9, but Porto away doesn’t feel the most obvious place to start.
The Portuguese champions have won their opening five league games and Maresca has described the Estádio do Dragão as a tough place to visit. City’s official match preview underlines the challenge awaiting his side.
For all the latest team news and broadcast details, take a look at our Porto v City match guide.
For updates on City throughout the season, take a look at our LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments page.
