Predicted Starting Line-Up: Juventus vs Manchester City (UEFA Champions League) | OneFootball

Manchester City return to continental action with a trip to Italy where they will face off against Serie A giants Juventus on matchday six of the UEFA Champions League.

Pep Guardiola’s side continue to find themselves in the midst of a slump across competitions, with just one win in their last nine matches. Most recently, the Etihad Stadium outfit were held to a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League.

Daniel Munoz put the hosts ahead inside five minutes before Erling Haaland would head home an equaliser from a Matheus Nunes cross. The second-half saw Palace restore their lead through Maxence Lacroix, only to be cancelled out by a smart Rico Lewis finish.

The contest would be complicated in the closing exchanges however, with the aforementioned England international sent off via a second yellow card and seeing himself suspended for Sunday’s derby meeting with Manchester United at home.

The squad continues to get thinner via fitness and injury concerns too, with Lewis’ suspension adding to issues being battled by Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, and John Stones on the list of stars on the treatment table.

Rico Lewis will be available for Wednesday night’s clash with Juventus however, and will certainly play a role in helping Manchester City stop the bleed after a key equalising goal against Crystal Palace – his third goal for the senior team, and his third against the Eagles.

Mateo Kovacic and Phil Foden have also returned to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City roster for Wednesday’s clash in Turin, Italy having overcome injury sustained on international duty and a bout of bronchitis respectively.

With those injuries and suspensions in mind, lets take a look at how Manchester City may set up against the Serie A giants for a crucial UEFA Champions League tie under the lights at the Allianz Stadium!

Predicted XI

Ederson has taken a seat among Manchester City’s substitutes behind Stefan Ortega Moreno in the Premier League, but the Brazil international shot-stopper should reclaim his starting role for this match.

Starting on the right of Manchester City’s defensive line, Rico Lewis should take up his usual position at right-back as he is suspended for the upcoming Manchester derby against Ruben Amorim’s side at the weekend.

With essentially just one fit senior centre-back for this one, we expect Ruben Dias will be joined by youngster Jahmai Simpson-Pusey – who has featured in the centre of defence throughout the ongoing injury crisis.

That, of course, leaves Josko Gvardiol out on his usual left-flank, though his effectiveness has waned during Manchester City’s slump in form over the last few weeks, despite several openings presented in front of goal.

Midfield has been a nightmare for Pep Guardiola throughout the ongoing season due in large part to the absence of Rodri and Mateo Kovacic through injury, though the latter is expected to be in the matchday squad in Turin.

As a result, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva will continue to hold down the fort in the deeper roles of the midfield trio, with Pep Guardiola having confirmed that Kovacic is unlikely to feature too significantly.

We believe that the surprise call in the centre of the pitch will come in the form of Jack Grealish, who did not start against Crystal Palace over the weekend. However, his solid showing in midfield against Nottingham Forest has potentially given him a new lease of life.

On the right-wing should be Savinho. The Brazilian has struggled to etch his name into the scoresheet but not for a lack of trying. The floodgates should open for the former Girona man soon enough, though.

Through the middle is none other than Erling Haaland. The striker is beginning to rediscover his shooting boots after a recent slump, which could dramatically change the fortunes for the reigning Premier League champions.

Belgium speedster Jeremy Doku has been bright for City in recent weeks, and with an inexperienced back-line for Juventus, his trickery could be a major asset for the Sky Blues down the left-wing.

Predicted XI: Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Simpson-Pusey, Gvardiol; Gundogan, Bernardo, Grealish; Savinho, Haaland, Doku.

Substitutes: Ortega Moreno, Hudson, Walker, Wilson-Esbrand, Wright, O’Reilly, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Nunes, McAtee, Foden.