Manchester City vs Salford City: Latest City injury news and predicted City starting eleven | OneFootball

Manchester City take Salford City today at the Etihad in their FA Cup third-round tie. Pep Guardiola’s side will be looking to avoid a famous FA Cup upset against the League Two side. On paper, the game appears to be a mismatch, but the FA Cup has built its reputation on famous upsets. Here is the latest City injury news and predicted Manchester City starting eleven ahead of today’s match.

Manchester City injury news.

There has been good news this week on the injury front for Pep Guardiola’s side. Oscar Bobb and Ruben Dias both returning to training this week. But as Pep Guardiola revealed yesterday today’s match has come too soon for the pair to feature. Ederson has returned to training and could return to the City starting lineup for today’s match.

Rodri will miss today’s match as he continues his rehabilitation from an ACL injury. Based on Pep Guardiola’s comments yesterday he will be joined by John Stones, Ruben Dias and Oscar Bobb on the sidelines for today’s match.

Predicted City starting eleven

Ederson: Stefan Ortega hasn’t done anything wrong but I expect Ederson to start since he’s returned to full fitness.

Kyle Walker: I’m expecting City’s captain to start at right-back. Walker needs a good performance so the challenge is there for him to respond.

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey: I expect a few youngsters to start today and one of those should be Simpson-Pusey.

Nathan Ake: Manuel Akanji needs a rest so I expect Ake to start alongside Simpson-Pusey.

Josko Gvardiol: The Croatian will likely start at left-back given the lack of bonafide options in the position for Pep Guardiola.

Ilkay Gundogan: Today’s game could be the ideal opportunity to rest Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic. If that proves to be the case I expect Gundogan to start in midfield.

Nico O’Reilly: Another City youngster I expect to start today is Nico O’Reilly. He hasn’t had many opportunities to impress this season, and he should get one today.

Jack Grealish: Grealish needs to play to make an impression. I’d like to see him start in midfield today and show what he can offer Manchester City in midfield.

James McAtee: The third City youngster I believe that will start today is James McAtee. He needs to be playing and today’s match looks to be the ideal setting for him to finally start a game.

Jeremy Doku: Doku has barely played in recent weeks. He should get an opportunity to impress today.

Erling Haaland: There’s merit to the idea of resting Haaland today but I expect him to start. He could have a big say on today’s match if he does start against Salford City.