Manchester City will still be smarting from their opening day 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur.
Pep Guardiola rolled up to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium with a star studded but underprepared squad and saw his team of superstars put in a listless display where a simple counter-attacking setup by Nuno was enough to see City lose early ground on the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
Pep might be forced to hand out starts to a couple of his international stars who would have ideally been introduced closer to the international break.
They face newcomers Norwich City, a game which seems easy on paper but City have been slow starters in recent seasons and will be desperate for 3 points today.
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Ilkay Gundogan has been passed fit by Pep Guardiola.
But Kevin de Bruyne did not train on Friday and is a doubt. Phil Foden remains out until September while we could see at least one out of the trio of John Stones, Kyle Walker and Aymeric Laporte in the Man City lineup today.
Predicted Man City lineup vs Norwich City (4-3-3)
DEFENCE
Ederson didn’t have much of a chance against Son’s clinical finish last weekend but he will be eyeing a clean sheet against the Canaries.
Joao Cancelo could retain his spot at right-back ahead of Kyle Walker who could be handed another week’s preparation time.
But we could see John Stones return to the Man City lineup at centre-back. Nathan Ake failed to impress in the lead up to the season and against Spurs. And his chemistry with Mendy at left-back hasn’t lit up the Premier League.
Ruben Dias could shift to the left centre-back position with John Stones lining up on the right in central defence.
After yet another abysmal showing by Benjamin Mendy, Pep might not have much of a choice than to put Aleks Zinchenko back into the Man City lineup.
MIDFIELD
Rodri is expected to make a comeback with Pep set to hand him another season of opportunity to establish himself in the centre of the park.
A fit Ilkay Gundogan could feature on the right hand of the midfield three while Jack Grealish could be set to continue on the left of the midfield against what he will hope will be a more obliging defence.
Bernardo Silva is another option for Pep.
ATTACK
Riyad Mahrez is set to retain his place in the Man City lineup.
Raheem Sterling is set to start on the left-wing once again. Manchester City fans are eager to witness the spark of Euro 2020 in the attacker which was absent against the Lilywhites.
An anonymous Ferran Torres could make way for Gabriel Jesus who looked lively in the short cameo in their loss against Tottenham.
