Manchester City Predicted Lineup vs Newcastle: Multiple defenders injured
By Evan Curnew
Manchester City will host Newcastle for their Premier League first match at the Etihad Stadium this season on Saturday, August 19th. Unsurprisingly, City won their first match of the season as Pep Guardiola bested his former player Vicent Kompany at Turf Moor against Burnley. Opponent Newcastle had a phenomenal opening weekend, netting five past Aston Villa at St. James’ Park in an enthralling win. Manchester City, on August 16th, lifted more silverware as they won the UEFA Super Cup over Sevilla on penalties. The Top Flight provides our Manchester City predicted lineup for the fixture against Newcastle.
Ederson will be in between the sticks for Manchester City just days after starting in the UEFA Super Cup.
The defence is a bit of a mess to decide. Pep Guardiola has confirmed that John Stones will miss the match, while Ruben Dias is a doubt to feature. This leaves only a few players left to be selected. Someone from the backline from Wednesday against Sevilla will be benched, and it could be Josko Gvardiol. That leaves Manuel Akanji, Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake starting again for City. Youngster Rico Lewis is likely to earn a start after being rested midweek.
Rodri will undoubtedly play in the midfield and should be joined by Mateo Kovacic. Both played midweek, but the middle of the park is looking incredibly thin with De Bruyne and Silva both injured.
Phil Foden will likely play a somewhat midfield role but often move out wide, acting more as a left midfielder than a central one. Cole Palmer is poised for another start out on the right after doing so against Sevilla. Julian Alvarez will likely act as a second striker, playing just behind Erling Haaland, who will, of course, get the start up top.
Manchester City Predicted Lineup: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Ake, Lewis, Rodri, Kovacic, Foden, Palmer, Alvarez, Haaland