Stefan Ortega replaces Ederson, Nathan Ake remains on the bench – Predicted XI: Manchester City vs West Ham (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City look to wrap up a fourth straight Premier League title with a win against West Ham at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola’s side finally broke their duck at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier this week, securing a 0-2 victory in north London thanks to two Erling Haaland goals, setting themselves up for a potential final-day victory once again.

Manchester City head into the weekend heavy favourites to beat the Hammers and wrap up the title, but the Etihad Stadium outfit never shy away from producing the dramatics when the ultimate prize is on the line.

The last time Pep Guardiola’s men had the chance to win the Premier League trophy on the final day, they found themselves 0-2 down to Aston Villa with just 15 minutes left before pulling off a dramatic turnaround to pip Liverpool to the crown.

Fitness does not appear to be too much of an issue for the Blues heading into the weekend, although they will be without shot-stopper Ederson after the Brazilian broke a bone in his face through a nasty collision with Spurs defender Christian Romero on Tuesday evening.

Let’s take a look at how we believe Pep Guardiola could set up his Manchester City side against the east Londoners this weekend!

Predicted XI

Stefan Ortega will do his best to fill Ederson’s shoes in between the Manchester City sticks on Sunday afternoon. The German has been mightily impressive when filling in for the club’s number one throughout the course of the season, and particularly so on Tuesday night.

Kyle Walker was superb against his former team in north London earlier this week, and the Manchester City captain will certainly don the arm band once again this weekend as he goes in search of his first Premier League title in the role of first-team leader.

Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji had a few shaky moments against Tottenham on Tuesday evening, but given John Stones and Nathan Ake’s inconsistent fitness in the dying weeks of the campaign, the pair will likely partner in the middle of the defence once again.

Josko Gvardiol has, and seemingly overnight, transformed himself into a mercurial talent on the left-flank for Manchester City and will hold his spot. Could there be one last strike into the net for the Croatian before the season is over?

Rodri and Mateo Kovacic have formed a superb partnership at the base of midfield, giving great balance to the Manchester City team in the final weeks of the campaign, and we expect that duo to remain together on Sunday.

Phil Foden has been City’s most consistent attacker, and he may even be the first name on the team sheet at the moment. The Englishman’s performances in the league were recognised by the division itself, rewarding Foden with the Premier League’s Player of the Season crown.

On the other flank, Bernardo Silva will look to provide width and control as Manchester City move through the gears. Could this be the final time we also see the Portuguese playmaker in action at the Etihad Stadium?

Kevin De Bruyne is a man for big moments and on Sunday afternoon he could play a key role in yet another era-defining game for a player that has already transformed the history of Manchester City forever.

That, of course, leaves Erling Haaland, who is fresh off the back of a crucial brace against Tottenham Hotspur earlier this week and will take up his usual role at the heart of Manchester City’s attack.

Starting XI: Ortega; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic, Foden, Bernardo; De Bruyne, Haaland.

Substitutes: Carson, Ake, Stones, Lewis, Gomez, Nunes, Grealish, Doku, Alvarez.