Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is faced with a selection dilemma when the Premier League champions begin their title defence away at West Ham on Saturday (12.30pm), according to Express.co.uk.
City have been in ominous form during pre-season, winning three out of four friendlies before beating Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield.
Guardiola rotated his options throughout the summer but appears to have settled on a preferred starting XI ahead of this weekend’s trip to the London Stadium.
Claudio Bravo played against the Reds at Wembley but Ederson will be back between the posts for the start of the domestic campaign.
Kyle Walker should start at right-back against the Hammers – even if Juventus defender Joao Cancelo’s transfer goes through.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Mendy remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from knee surgery so Oleksandr Zinchenko will continue at left-back.
Fernandinho is also on the treatment table following a knee injury so summer signing Rodri will anchor the midfield in his absence.
Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva are expected to line up alongside the Spaniard, having started at Wembley, but Phil Foden and Ilkay Gundogan offer alternatives for Guardiola in the engine room.
Bernardo Silva is likely to start on the right flank with Riyad Mahrez’s participation in doubt after a doping scare.
Leroy Sane hobbled off the pitch at Wembley and is not expected to feature against West Ham so Sterling should shift out wide to operate on the left flank.
Finally, Sergio Aguero could return to lead the line.
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Manchester City Predicted Line-Up Vs West Ham United
(4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko; Rodri, De Bruyne, D. Silva; B. Silva, Sterling, Aguero
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago
