Manchester City’s pursuit of the Premier League title continues on Saturday when they visit Newcastle United earlier in the day.
After two games in three days, drawing with title rivals Arsenal before beating Watford in the Carabao Cup, Pep Guardiola has a bit more squad rotation and, to complicate matters further, now. without star midfielder Rodri for the rest of the season.
city However, they have incredible squad depth, and the former Spain international has plenty of options to fall back on when his squad steps up at St James’ Park.
Here’s the team Guardiola could field in Newcastle on Saturday.
GK: Ederson – Didn’t come close to striking Gabriel or Riccardo Calafiori last weekend and picked up a booking for incessant complaining. He needs a stronger show in the cauldron of St James’ Park.
CB: Manuel Akanji – Kyle Walker has had a few burnouts lately and may need some rest this weekend. Although he lacks the express pace of the right-back, Akanji has plenty of new defenders and should enjoy any one-on-one potential with Newcastle flying Anthony Gordon.
CB: Rubén Dias – One of several players rested on Tuesday, Dias should return to City’s starting line-up as a key leader in defence.
CB: Josko Guardiol – The Croatian should start in his defensive hybrid role, switching between wide and central areas when necessary.
CM: Mateo Kovacic – Guardiol’s compatriot was not well suited to try to break arsenalThe deep defense of last week, but his ball-winning skills and marauding dribbling should be at full strength on Tyneside.
CM: John Stones – The England international could be set for a big season after Rodri’s injury blow. Stones grabbed the equalizer against the Gunners but it is his quality in possession that could be vital against Newcastle.
RW: Savinho – The Brazilian speedster rattled the woodwork in midweek after appearing as a second-half substitute, but should get a starter’s brief on Saturday.
AM: Ilkay Gundogan – Gundogan is yet to score since returning to City Barcelona and, given Guardiola’s problems in recent weeks, now would be a good time for the 33-year-old to rediscover his lethal streak in the final third.
AM: Phil Foden – The 24-year-old is looking to build on a stellar individual campaign in 2023/24, but only started on the first Tuesday of this season. He took six shots against Watford but only hit the target once.
LW: Jeremy Doku – The Belgian scored his first goal of the campaign on Tuesday, starting on the right. He should return to the left at the weekend, with Jack Grealish dropping out of the starting eleven.
ST: Erling Haaland – It really was an all-action display from the Norwegian last week. After scoring early, he hit anyone who came near him and threw the ball to Gabriel in celebration of the Stones’ dramatic equaliser. He just passed 100 goals city but has struck just once in four previous games against Newcastle.
