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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Simon Bajkowski & Joe Bray

How Man City should line up vs FC Copenhagen in the Champions League

Manchester City start a big week at FC Copenhagen, knowing a win will see them qualify for the Champions League last-16.

City are in good form, and were 5-0 victors over Copenhagen just last Wednesday at the Etihad. With the Champions League group stages being played in a shorter schedule than usual due to the World Cup, that means City are reunited with the Danish champions just six days later at the Parken Stadium.

Pep Guardiola should be able to call upon the same squad that beat Southampton comfortably in the Premier League on Saturday, with John Stones still out, alongside Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips.

ALSO READ: Man City training squad for FC Copenhagen trip in Champions League

Jack Grealish and Aymeric Laporte were rested in that game, while Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva were all withdrawn before full time to give them a breather ahead of the Copenhagen trip and the away clash at Liverpool on Sunday.

Read how our writers think City should line up below and use the interactive team selector to pick your best starting XI:

Simon Bajkowski

Pep Guardiola will almost certainly not go down this route but I'd start Cole Palmer on the right. He has shown glimpses of his promise and deserves a full game in his best position against decent opposition. Julian Alvarez is also due a start to continue his integration into the team.

Haaland has to start obviously, and behind him Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri will help to give Alvarez and Palmer the freedom to reign. Grealish can start on the left to try and get a goal ahead of Anfield.

At the back, Cancelo has earned the chance to put his feet up after his stellar performance at the weekend. Guardiola has four centre-backs fit who can slot across his backline, but Sergio Gomez can slot in at left-back to give Manuel Akanji a rest.

Pick your best City team here:

Joe Bray

I'd bring back Grealish and Laporte after their rests at the weekend, as well as Sergio Gomez who did well in the Copenhagen game last week. Akanji did okay at right-back on Saturday and might be needed there again at Anfield, so he can drop to the bench and Ruben Dias can partner Laporte in the centre.

This would be a good chance to rest Rodri, but Guardiola likes to take these group games seriously and qualification can be secured tonight, so I'd expect him to retain his place and Gundogan come back in. De Bruyne, if fit, is undroppable.

And upfront, so is Haaland, who will surely keep his place after a brace against the Danes last week. Grealish can come back on the left, with Foden moving right — before the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Alvarez and Palmer can come off the bench to rest legs before Liverpool at the weekend.

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