Predicted Starting Line-Up: Ipswich vs Manchester City (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City’s tumultuous winter period continues on Sunday afternoon as they face a trip to Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town.

Pep Guardiola’s side saw a three-match winning run snapped at the hands of Brentford on Tuesday night, conceding two late goals in a now-vintage capitulation at the Gtech Community Stadium and missing a chance to put pressure on the Premier League’s top-four.

There is some positive news on the horizon for the Etihad outfit however, as they are reportedly set to wrap up three January transfers in the coming days in defensive pairing Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov, plus Omar Marmoush – one of the Bundesliga’s top attackers.

Manchester City fans and coaches alike will hope their brand new signings can hit the ground running in January, but for now it is the old guard that will have to do the leg work to pull Pep Guardiola’s side back into the top-four picture.

Ruben Dias was back in training this week giving the Sky Blues’ back-four a major boost, but questions remain on just how fit any of the Portuguese international, Manuel Akanji, and Nathan Ake really are after a gruelling stretch of games.

But before all is revealed on Sunday afternoon ahead of kick-off at Portman Road, here is how we believe Pep Guardiola may set up his side against the challenge of Kieran McKenna’s men this weekend!

Predicted XI

Stefan Ortega Moreno is seemingly Manchester City’s new number one after replacing Ederson during a brief stint with injury over recent weeks and months, and he will likely remain in between the sticks this time around.

After taking a seat for Matheus Nunes in midweek, we should see the return of Rico Lewis at right-back on Sunday evening, as he looks to take over captain Kyle Walker’s now-vacant spot after the 34-year-old requested to leave the Etihad Stadium this month.

His defending may have been heroic against Brentford on Tuesday night, but Nathan Ake is seemingly desperate for a rest and so Manuel Akanji will join the newly-fit Ruben Dias in the centre of defence, in our opinion.

As always, Josko Gvardiol will occupy the left-back spot, although it remains to be seen whether any rotation could be on the horizon with the defence strengthening in options and interest in Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso growing.

As we head into the usual midfield trio, there is one major change likely to come, but we will start with the now ever-present Mateo Kovacic in the deeper role, joined by Bernardo Silva for added cover and much-needed legs.

The aforementioned change comes in the form of Phil Foden, who we believe will occupy Kevin De Bruyne’s central position to give the Belgian star a rest ahead of a tough stretch of matches.

That, of course, leaves a hole on the right-wing, where Foden has excelled in recent matches. That space will be filled by Savinho, who has been brilliant on the left recently, but a fresh look is in order after dropping points against Brentford.

Through the middle is none other than Erling Haaland, whose brand new nine-and-a-half-year contract could serve as a confidence boost for the remainder of the campaign and the future to come.

Out on the left-wing, it’s time for the return of Jack Grealish, who has been much maligned by Pep Guardiola as of late. But the former Aston Villa captain could be given a chance to play his way back into the picture.

Predicted XI: Ortega Moreno; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Bernardo, Foden; Savinho, Haaland, Grealish.

Substitutes: Ederson, Nunes, Simpson-Pusey, Ake, Gundogan, De Bruyne, McAtee, Doku, Mubama.