City are back in Premier League action this afternoon when Sunderland visit the Etihad, with Enzo Maresca set to bring his big names back after Thursday’s Carabao Cup win over Norwich.
Maresca made 10 changes for the 5-0 victory, giving Erling Haaland, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Ruben Dias and several other regulars the night off. Most should return for today’s 14:00 BST kick-off. Phil Foden definitely won’t, as he serves the second game of his three-match suspension.
Man City team news against Sunderland
There could be better news on Jeremy Doku. The Belgian has been out since suffering a calf injury against Arsenal in the Community Shield, but Maresca says he will “probably” be available against Sunderland.
After that length of absence, a place on the bench would seem the likelier option.
Nico O’Reilly made his return from injury against Norwich and completed 90 minutes, while Rayan Cherki was taken off at half-time after being the only player retained from the Manchester derby starting XI. That should leave Cherki fresh enough to go again this afternoon.
The referee appointments for Man City v Sunderland have already been confirmed, while our full match preview has more on today’s game.
Predicted Man City XI
Gianluigi Donnarumma should return in goal after Geronimo Rulli started against Norwich. Matheus Nunes is our pick at right-back, with Marc Guehi and Ruben Dias back together in the middle. Josko Gvardiol gets the nod on the left.
Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez should also come straight back in after their midweek rest. Foden’s suspension creates the interesting decision further forward. Cherki looks the obvious choice through the middle, with Iliman Ndiaye and Antoine Semenyo either side of him.
Erling Haaland will lead the line after getting Thursday night off completely.
Predicted Man City XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Dias, Gvardiol; Anderson, Fernandez; Ndiaye, Cherki, Semenyo; Haaland.
How Sunderland could line up
Sunderland arrive with a few selection problems of their own. Reinildo is suspended, while Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle are out. Omar Alderete is also a doubt after being forced off during Wednesday’s Europa League win over AZ Alkmaar.
Daniel Ballard could therefore return in defence, while Brian Brobbey is in contention to start up front after beginning the AZ game on the bench.
Predicted Sunderland XI (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Danso, Methalie; Xhaka, Sadiki; Angulo, Le Fee, Fofana; Brobbey.
Maresca has been unusually strong in his praise of Sunderland, describing them as City’s toughest opponents of the season so far.
They also held City to a goalless draw at the Stadium of Light on New Year’s Day, so there is recent evidence behind the warning.
City have won all four of their Premier League games under Maresca and six in succession in all competitions. With most of the first-choice side rested on Thursday, there should be plenty of familiar names back on the teamsheet this afternoon.
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