However, City may have to do that without striker Erling Haaland, who is an injury doubt after his early substitution against Bournemouth at the weekend – but he did train on Monday to ease fears of a long-term issue. Pep Guardiola says he will be in contention to play if he reports as fit, but he may also look to the weekend&aposs trip to Chelsea as more important.
While a win is still necessary to secure a last-16 place – and take a step closer to winning the group – Guardiola may consider some degree of rotation against a side who City put three past a fortnight ago in Switzerland.
Read how our writers think City should line up and use the interactive team selector to pick your best starting XI:
Erling Haaland&aposs best hopes of starring at Chelsea are to be kept fresh for that, and Julian Alvarez deserves the chance to show what he can do in his best position. Behind him, Phil Foden can come back into the team and so too can Jack Grealish.
Grealish and Jeremy Doku should make for a good watch if they can attack from either flank, with Doku looking to play himself into the team for Chelsea in what would be his biggest start to date. Behind, Mateo Kovacic had such a good start to his City career but could do with rekindling his partnership with Rodri.
Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol should both come back in, and Manu Akanji has the edge over Nathan Ake in terms of ability to play three games a week. Rico Lewis has been excellent in the Champions League this season and can take the John Stones role.
Pick your best team here:
Even if Haaland declares himself fit, this isn&apost a game worth risking his longer-term fitness. Julian Alvarez can push up, Phil Foden can come back in, and Jeremy Doku is in great form. City scored six without Haaland getting on the scoresheet on Saturday, so can easily play without him.
Rico Lewis can come back to give Kyle Walker a rest – the only player who played 90 minutes against United and Bournemouth – while John Stones can get a rest too after starting both of the last two games. Josko Gvardiol can get some minutes after a day off at the weekend.
Likewise, Jack Grealish can come in opposite Doku, and it could also be worth resting Bernardo Silva despite another fine performance at the weekend. Even with those changes, City should have more than enough to get the win they need.
With qualification all but secure, there&aposs no need for City to take the risk of starting Erling Haaland after his exit at half-time on the weekend. Instead, Julian Alvarez can easily slot in up front – as Pep Guardiola has already said – and his move forward will open up a slot in the middle.
