Manchester City are clear favourites to claim all three points when they host Luton at the Etihad on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s side are still fighting on multiple fronts this season as they are embroiled in a fierce title race up against Liverpool and Arsenal, while they face Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie this coming midweek.
With such big games on the horizon, Guardiola may opt to rest a few key names.
Man City Team News and predicted XI
As always, it is impossible to guess what Guardiola will be thinking ahead of this one, but there are two definite absentees – Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake.
Phil Foden took a sore knock to the back of the ankle in the latter stages of the first leg against Real Madrid on Tuesday, and although he’ll be fine, Guardiola might put him on the bench despite his blistering form.
Rodri recently admitted himself that he needs a rest and with City being such massive favourites against Luton, this is probably the best opportunity to give the Spaniard some recovery time.
Ederson could finally make his return to the starting XI after featuring on the bench in the last two games, having recovered from a hamstring injury.
Kevin De Bruyne didn’t start the Madrid game due to illness, but he’ll be fine to start here if Guardiola wants to give him minutes before the second leg.
Man City (4-1-4-1): Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Stones; Doku, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland.
Luton Team News and predicted XI
As if Luton don’t already have a monumental task ahead of them, facing the defending Premier League champions, but their squad has been decimated by injuries.
Tom Lockyer, Marvelous Nakamba, Jacob Brown, Elijah Adebayo, Amari’i Bell, Chiedozie Ogbene, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Dan Potts and Mads Andersen are all set to miss this one.
Issa Kabore isn’t allowed to face his parent club.
Luton (3-4-3): Kaminski; Hashioka, Mengi, Burke; Onyedinma, Barkley, Clark, Doughty; Townsend, Chong, Morris.
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Source link : https://www.footballcritic.com/news/man-city-vs-luton-predicted-lineups/4339
Author : editors@footballcritic.com (Martin Macdonald)
Publish date : 2024-04-12 09:58:36
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