Manchester City had a fairly positive weekend of Premier League action. They came from behind to convincingly beat Crystal Palace 4-2 with Kevin de Bruyne returning to form and Erling Haaland getting on the scoresheet.
What also must have been a boost is Liverpool dropping points against arch-rivals Manchester United. Jurgen Klopp’s men could only muster a 2-2 draw which means just a point separates the Sky Blues from Arsenal and the Reds.
They now must shift their focus to the big-ticket quarter-final matchup against Real Madrid in the Champions League. Los Blancos will be desperate to avenge their exit last season at the hands of the English champions and will come out all guns blazing in Santiago Bernabeu.
MANCHESTER CITY EARLY TEAM NEWS
Ederson featured on the bench against Crystal Palace and is likely to be fit in time for Real Madrid. John Stones started as well and could be set for a run of games.
Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake are likely to miss out again.
PREDICTED MAN CITY LINEUP VS REAL MADRID (3-2-4-1)
DEFENCE
Ederson is likely to make a return in goal. Stefan Ortega has been an able deputy but Pep is expected to pick the Brazilian in the Man City lineup.
Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol look like sure shot starters. The latter was hooked at half-time against the Eagles but that was more likely to avoid a second yellow card for the player.
The 3rd spot in the three-man backline could feature Manuel Akanji. He replaced Gvardiol at half-time but could see himself amidst the action from the start and is likely to be positioned on the right in the 3-man defence in the Man City lineup.
MIDFIELD
Rodri was not at his sharpest on Saturday but regardless, he will be the first name on the teamsheet.
We are going for a slightly unconventional choice as his partner especially given the options Pep already has in Nunes and Kovacic and Rico Lewis impressing once again.
We expect John Stones to be partnered with the Spaniard in midfield in the Man City lineup. His defensive ability and more than impressive ball retention skills could come in handy in the pressure situations City will find themselves quite regularly at the Bernabeu.
ATTACK
The 5-man cavalry on the other half of the pitch is expected to feature the top names in the City contingent and could be attack heavy.
Jack Grealish has played his way into regular first team reckoning and will feature on the left while we could see Phil Foden positioned on the right in the Man City lineup.
Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva are likely to take up the attacking areas centrally and act as the creative hub of the side.
Erling Haaland has been hit and miss this season but has racked up another 30+ haul already so the metrics to judge his effectiveness are slightly skewed. He will certainly start in the Man City lineup though, spearheading the attack against the Champions League serial winners.
