Predicted Manchester City XI vs West Brom

by Jimmy Moorhouse @JimmyMoorhouse share

2 minute read 26/1/2021 | 03:10pm

After a scare in the FA Cup fourth round against Cheltenham Town at the weekend, Manchester City were eventually able to progress thanks to a late flurry of goals.

However, the performance may be a cause for concern for Pep Guardiola, as those on the fringes of his squad arguably failed to perform against League Two opposition.

Therefore, it seems likely that the Spanish manager will make plenty of changes for the trip to West Brom on Tuesday night, where a win could take the Citizens to the top of the Premier League table.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Guardiola to line his side up against the Baggies, with nine changes from the team that beat Cheltenham…

Ederson returns in goal with Zack Steffen having seemingly established himself as Manchester City’s cup goalkeeper with another appearance against Cheltenham Town last weekend.

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Guardiola will likely rotate his entire defence, with John Stones and Ruben Dias resuming their partnership at centre-back, whilst Joao Cancelo and Oleksandr Zinchenko come in for Eric Garcia and Benjamin Mendy at full-back.

Phil Foden is one of just two City players to keep his place, and he drops into midfield to fill the void left by Kevin De Bruyne, who misses out through injury, with Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan providing the more defensive duties in midfield.

Raheem Sterling comes in for Ferran Torres on the left-wing, with Bernardo Silva replacing Riyad Mahrez on the right, with the Portugal international having finally found his shooting boots in recent weeks following his goal against Aston Villa.

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1. Who cost more?

Riyad Mahrez Kevin De Bruyne

Gabriel Jesus keeps his place up front after his winning goal at the weekend, but the Brazilian can not afford to be so wasteful against Sam Allardyce’s side on Tuesday night.

And, in other news… Txiki can sign Pep a Gabriel Jesus upgrade in “top goalscorer”