Pep Guardiola has plenty of team selection headaches ahead of tonight’s clash. (Image: Getty)
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City travel to east London this afternoon in search of a third win from three to start the Premier League season.
A scintillating City put four past newbies Ipswich Town last weekend, having despatched Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in their opening game of the campaign.
An unprecedented fifth straight Premier League title is the prize dangling in front of Guardiola and co, with this weekend’s trip to West Ham United another tough test of their credentials.
Ederson has endured a shaky start to the season. (Image: Getty)
Predicted Man City XI vs West Ham (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Ederson
It’s been a shaky start to the season for goalkeeper Ederson, who has been blamed for Sammie Szmodics’ opener against Ipswich on Saturday.
The Brazil international, who was heavily linked to a Saudi Arabian switch earlier in the summer, also had his blushes spared by the offside flag when he parried a save straight into the path of Nicolas Jackson against Chelsea.
With Stefan Ortega waiting in the wing, Ederson can ill-afford any more mistakes between the sticks.
Read more… Mohamed Salah’s transfer to Liverpool voted best value Premier League move [LATEST]
Rico Lewis has shone in the first two matches for Man City. (Image: Getty)
Defence: Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol
Rico Lewis has been a standout for City so far this season, impressing in both of the reigning champions’ opening fixtures.
Kyle Walker is fit and firing, but Lewis should retain his spot in the backline, alongside familiar faces Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol.
The four have started the first two games of the Premier League season and could once again be used for tonight’s fixture in the capital.
Rodri hasn’t featured since Spain’s Euro 2024 final vs England. (Image: Getty)
Midfield: Kovacic, Bernardo, De Bruyne
The good news for City fans, as confirmed by Guardiola on Friday, is that Rodri is back and available.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Guardiola revealed the Ballon d’Or candidate was “much better”, having been missing for first two matches this season.
But it could prove a weekend too soon for the Spaniard, with Guardiola most likely to opt for Mateo Kovacic, alongside Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva in midfield.
Phil Foden’s presence also looks unlikely, with Guardiola revealing the England international was still poorly yesterday.
Don’t miss…
Guardiola names five Haaland replacements he could use at Man City instead [NEWS]
Ten Hag rages at ‘stupid’ Shearer after MOTD pundit called out Man Utd star [READ]
Patrice Evra convinced Man Utd made £89m transfer to ‘humiliate’ Alex Ferguson [LATEST]
Summer signing Savinho has caught the eye since making his City debut. (Image: Getty)
Forwards: Savinho, Haaland, Doku
Whisper it, but City might’ve fallen on the most exhilarating attack in the entire division.
Goal-hungry Erling Haaland has feasted off the electric Savinho and Jeremy Doku’s service so far this season, with the pair starting the campaign in stellar form.
It’s a penny for Jack Grealish’s thoughts, who looks set to start yet another Premier League fixture on the bench.
Man City predicted XI: Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, De Bruyne, Bernardo; Savinho, Haaland, Doku
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1942519/man-city-team-news-predicted