Manchester City are running away with the Premier League title and are also active in the domestic cup competitions. But the biggest test for the side will be their European campaign, which will resume this week again. They got through the group stages of the Champions League with ease and were handed a relatively winnable fixture against Swiss side Basel, who will welcome Pep Guardiola’s side on Tuesday.
Basel, currently second in the domestic points table, did well to qualify for this round but will be outsiders as Manchester City are one of the favourites to go all the way this season. Guardiola’s men put five past Leicester City at the weekend and will be high on confidence. Here is the predicted lineup Guardiola might field for this tie:
Team News:
The manager will welcome John Stones and Phil Foden back, both of who played a role at the weekend. David Silva, Fabian Delph and Leroy Sane are all back in training and have been named in the squad for this game. Gabriel Jesus and Benjamin Mendy are long-term absentees and are making decent progress.
Expected lineup (4-3-3):
Defence:
Ederson has been one of the best players in his position this season in Europe and will keep his place under the bar for this game. Guardiola might hand his January signing Aymeric Laporte a start against Basel, and he should partner Nicolas Otamendi, who has been Manchester City’s best defender this season.
Delph has just returned to fitness which should see Danilo start at left-back like he has done on a number of occasions already this season while Kyle Walker, who has been effective, will keep his place at right-back.
Midfield:
The manager has stuck to Fernandinho as the deepest of the midfielders. The Brazilian will keep his place in the side and might have some work to do against a fluid Basel attack. Kevin de Bruyne, who had a superb game against the Foxes will definitely keep his place in the side. He will have to be kept quiet if Basel are to take anything from this game.
David Silva might not be risked for this game from the start which should see Ilkay Gundogan keep his place in the midfield.
Attack:
Sergio Aguero, who scored four at the weekend against Leicester, will lead the line once again for Manchester City. Raheem Sterling scored the opener against the Foxes and should keep his place on the wing. Leroy Sane is unlikely to start straightaway which should see Bernardo Silva feature on the other flank.
Here is how they might line up:
