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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jack Flintham

Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva start in Man City predicted Champions League XI vs Real Madrid

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is without Nathan Ake for Tuesday night's clash with Real Madrid.

The Dutch defender limped off during Saturday's victory over Leeds United having just recently come back from a hamstring injury. Ake did not feature in the training squad on Monday and has not travelled to Madrid.

Other than that, Guardiola has a full-strength squad from which to pick his XI. Erling Haaland may have suffered an off-day on Saturday but he is likely to fancy a return to form against Real.

ALSO READ: Guardiola warns City players after Rodri claim

Here is how MEN Sport predicts City will line up at the Bernabeu.

Goalkeeper - Ederson

No surprises here as we expect the Brazilian to start in Madrid. His rest against West Ham last week should stand the City 'keeper in good stead for what could be a tough night in the Spanish capital.

Defenders - Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji

With Ake on the sidelines, Akanji looks the likely candidate to start at left-back. In his first appearance in the position at home to Arsenal, the Swiss star looked at ease but another difficult task awaits him here.

Walker may not have received the full rest Guardiola wanted but he should be fresh enough for Tuesday. Stones and Dias both seem certain to return.

Midfielders - Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan

Gundogan may have upset his manager by missing the penalty against Leeds but he is unlikely to be dropped after a brilliant overall performance. Rodri's long-awaited rest will be just what he needed, being on media duty on Monday suggests he will be in line for a return.

Away from home it would seem wise to drop into the 4-3-3 meaning De Bruyne moves deeper to play alongside his captain in the centre.

MEN Sport's predicted team to face Real Madrid (Pick the Team)

Forwards - Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish

Haaland's off-day against Leeds could spell trouble for Real with the Norwegian itching to return to the scoresheet. Both Grealish and Bernardo earned rests on Saturday so considering their recent form they could be given the nod by Guardiola.

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