Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Manchester City could line up for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Manchester City could be without goalkeeper Ederson for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium.
The Brazilian was forced off at half time in last weekend’s 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest with a shoulder injury. Although Pep Guardiola stated after the match that the issue “doesn’t look good”, he has been spotted in training this week, so a return to the first-team fold may not be too far away.
Having said that, it is understood that Ederson will not be rushed back into action just yet, so Stefan Ortega is set to play between the sticks against Wolves.
Phil Foden and Ruben Dias were two notable absentees from the matchday squad last time out through illness, but the City duo have also taken part in training this week and should be fit to compete for a starting spot on Saturday.
Dias is set to battle with John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake for a start in central defence, while Josko Gvardiol – who scored against Forest – and Kyle Walker continue to operate as full-backs.
Lynchpin Rodri is expected to keep his place in centre-midfield and could be partnered by either Mateo Kovacic or Bernardo Silva; the latter is also capable of playing on the right flank.
Kevin De Bruyne registered two assists against Forest while operating as a number 10 and he will likely retain his spot in the first XI, potentially next to Foden, while Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku are set to compete for a place on the left wing.
Julian Alvarez, who scored in the reverse fixture against Wolves nearly eight months ago, was handed a start as a central striker last weekend, but Erling Haaland is now fit and ready to lead the line after shaking off a muscle issue to score off the substitutes’ bench against Forest; the Norwegian scored a hat-trick in his only previous home meeting with Wolves last season.
Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ortega; Walker, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri; Bernardo, De Bruyne, Foden, Grealish; Haaland
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