Erling Haaland starts as Phil Foden and Ederson return – predicted Man City starting XI vs Leeds
Phil Foden and Ederson could be among the players returning to the starting XI as Manchester City resume their Premier League campaign on Wednesday.
City returned to action following the World Cup break last week in thrilling style as they edged past Liverpool 3-2 to advance to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. It was by no means an easy way to restart the season but certainly one that will prepare them for a trip to a hostile Elland Road to face Leeds United.
City now sit eight points off top place following Arsenal’s victory over West Ham on Boxing Day so three points are vital. One player unlikely to be involved is Kalvin Phillips, with the midfielder set to miss out on returning to his boyhood club after he was declared unfit and overweight by Pep Guardiola.
Ruben Dias is definitely sidelined with a hamstring injury while Julian Alvarez is yet to return from celebrating Argentina’s World Cup triumph. Otherwise, Guardiola has a strong squad to choose from and will likely reinstate several of his stars to the line-up.
One is Ederson, with the goalkeeper sitting out the Liverpool thriller for back-up Stefan Ortega to get a game. Aymeric Laporte started the last match and could be joined by John Stones in the centre of defence, with Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo taking their spots at full-back.
The midfield is likely to look similar to the last outing with Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri keeping their places and the only likely change being Bernardo Silva’s return in place of Ilkay Gundogan. In attack, Phil Foden is sure to come in for Cole Palmer.
Riyad Mahrez scored an excellent goal against Liverpool and might have done enough to keep his spot on the right flank in support of Erling Haaland up front.
Predicted City XI vs Leeds: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, Haaland, Foden.