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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Daniel Murphy

Foden and Stones to start - Man City team fans want to see vs Porto

Manchester City supporters would like to see John Stones remain in the starting XI for Tuesday night's encounter with Porto.

City are already safely through to the knockout stages of the Champions League but Pep Guardiola is taking no chances in the penultimate group game, a point in which would see his side finish top, saying he will need the 'best players possible' to get a win.

A strong City squad has travelled to Portugal, with Tommy Doyle the only academy player making the trip, and City fans agree with the manager and think a strong starting XI should be played to guarantee top spot.

The Blues' strongest XI usually wouldn't contain Stones, but the centre-back has enjoyed a revival of sorts recently after looking as though his days at the club were numbered during the summer.

He has started the last two matches and played well in both as City have won without conceding a goal, in fact, only one goal has been conceded with Stones on the pitch in his six appearances this season.

With the 26-year-old finally enjoying a good run of form again, fans would like to see that momentum continue with him keeping his place at the Estadio do Drago, alongside Aymeric Laporte.

Benjamin Mendy has also had some good performances recently but, with his injury record in mind, fans would like to see him rested and Aleks Zinchenko come in at left-back. The same going for Kyle Walker on the opposite flank, with Joao Cancelo coming in.

In midfield, fans want Fernandinho to come back into the fold for his first start in months after he picked up an injury the last time the two teams met and the match would serve as a great chance for the Brazilian to build up his match fitness. Supporters would also give Kevin De Bruyne a rest, with Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva coming into the midfield three.

With various changes throughout the side, fans have named a very strong attacking three in their ideal line-up. Fresh off his hat-trick in the weekend's thrashing of Burnley, Riyad Mahrez would keep his place alongside Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling.

Fans' City XI vs Porto: Ederson; Cancelo, Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko; Bernardo, Fernandinho, Foden; Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling.

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