Manchester City will have to shift their focus to the crucial Champions League encounter against Shakhtar Donetsk tomorrow. The Sky Blues strolled to another routine 5-0 win over Burnley. Yes, a 5-0 win against a mid-table club is deemed routine by most pundits now. The consistency and the regularity of such scorelines are honestly frightening for the rest of the league. The champions have set the tone once again and the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea have to follow them and hope to eventually surpass Pep and his well-drilled machine.
Five different players got onto the scoresheet showing the array of goal-scoring options at their disposal. The likes of Jesus and Mahrez have not got going yet. And add Kevin de Bruyne to the mix of players yet to make an impact, things are looking ominous for the rest of the title contenders.
Moving to the match against the Ukrainian side tomorrow, Pep will field a strong XI as he looks to consolidate his team’s position in the group. Lyon handed them a rude shock on the opening night and a couple of wins on the trot is a necessity to recover from that jolt.
TEAM NEWS
Danilo, Bravo and Gundogan will be missing. Walker has travelled with the squad.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY XI VS SHAKHTAR DONETSK (4-3-3)
DEFENCE
Ederson will start in goal. He is living up to the high standards he set for himself last season and that is good news for Pep.
Walker is expected to start after missing a game as Pep will most likely move to a back four. Otamendi might make a comeback and start alongside the ever-present Laporte in central defence.
We expect Mendy to start ahead of Englishman Fabian Delph.
MIDFIELD
With both the Silvas hauled off with considerable time remaining in the match against Burnley, we do not expect any change in this department.
Fernandinho will sit at the base of the midfield. He is likely to be flanked by David Silva on the left and Bernardo Silva on the right.
Kevin de Bruyne might have to settle for a place on the bench as he works his way to full fitness.
ATTACK
Raheem Sterling is expected to replace Riyad Mahrez on the right wing. Leroy Sane is likely to get another start on the left. He will look to work on his understanding with Mendy, especially in the final third.
Sergio Aguero should start as Pep is unlikely to repeat his error against Lyon.
