Predicted XI

Changes expected - How Man City could line up against Gladbach

Pep Guardiola made a raft of starting line-up alterations for the Premier League match against Fulham, but big names will return for the Champions League

10:18am on Monday 15th March 2021
By Martin Macdonald

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has a full squad at his disposal for this week's Champions League last 16 second leg clash against Borussia Monchengladbach.

The Spaniard has no fresh injury concerns from the weekend victory over Fulham, and after resting a number of key players for that Premier League match, will make another batch of changes for European duties.

One player certain to drop out of the starting XI against Gladbach is Sergio Aguero, who returned to the line-up at the weekend to score his first Premier League goal in 14 months. Still, though, two games within four days is too much to ask of him at the moment.

That will mean either a False 9 or Gabriel Jesus starting up top - probably the former as the Brazilian also started versus Fulham. Expect Phil Foden to be given the nod in the central spot.

Ferran Torres will likely drop out too which will mean a completely changed front three, with Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez coming in on the left and right flanks respectively.

Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan were given a total rest at the weekend and didn't play a single minute, so they will be fresh to make a comeback in midfield alongside Rodri.

Guardiola opted for an untested three-at-the-back formation against Fulham with John Stones, Aymeric Laporte, and Ruben Dias all playing together with wing-backs either side.

The City boss will probably revert back to a four-man backline for this one, with Joao Cancelo at right-back, Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back, and Stones partnering Dias in the middle.

Ederson will, of course, start in goal.