Manchester City got back to winning ways and more importantly their free-scoring ways in the weekend against a hapless Burnley side.
Riyad Mahrez netted a fine hattrick as City ran out 5-0 winners. Pep Guardiola dropped a couple of big names, showing he will be taking a firmer approach in his team selection henceforth.
They will shift their attention to the UCL now. Manchester City have already secured qualification and a point against Porto will guarantee their tag as the group winners as well, with a game to spare.
TEAM NEWS
The Sky Blues are extremely close to having their entire squad available for selection after a very long time.
Sergio Aguero is struggling to get up to speed while Nathan Ake might not be thrust straight into the action.
Other than the two, Pep has the entire spread to take his pick from.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY LINEUP TO FACE PORTO (4-3-3)
DEFENCE
Ederson is likely to continue in goal.
The Brazilian hasn’t been at his best this season but will be eager to start stacking up clean sheets once again.
Kyle Walker should be handed a much-deserved rest which will see Joao Cancelo slot into his favoured right-back role in the Manchester City lineup.
John Stones has looked solid upon his return to the Manchester City lineup and could be handed another start with his confidence high. It will also afford a rest for Ruben Dias who has quickly earned himself a legion of fans since his arrival.
Aymeric Laporte should start as the left-sided centre-back having been dropped for the game against Burnley.
Benjamin Mendy is likely to make way for Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back.
MIDFIELD
Rodri was taken off at half-time against the Clarets and will start in the deep central midfield role against Porto.
Phil Foden is expected to slot into one of the midfield roles while Kevin de Bruyne might take up the third slot. The Belgian looked fresh after a break in the previous UCL match and will be eager to gather some momentum.
ATTACK
Ferran Torres has taken his chances well. And given his excellent run of form in Europe, Pep might decide to play him as the striker once again.
With Sergio Aguero struggling to get going again after his meniscus injury, Gabriel Jesus might be protected for the rest of the group stage.
Raheem Sterling is in line for a return to the left-wing in the Manchester City lineup. The Englishman has to put his head down and earn his spot back in the first team.
Riyad Mahrez would have wanted to keep going but we are likely to see Bernardo Silva slot into the right-wing position.
Manchester City Lineup
