Rіco Lewіѕ іn міdfіeld аnd Jаck Greаlіѕһ to ѕtаrt аһeаd of Jereму Dokᴜ – Predіcted XI: BCS Yoᴜng Boуѕ ʋѕ Mаncһeѕter Cіtу (UEFA Cһамріonѕ Leаgᴜe Groᴜр Stаge)

Manchester City take on BSC Young Boys in the third match of the ongoing UEFA Champions League group stage campaign on Wednesday evening.

The reigning European champions will be looking to maintain their 100% winning streak in the group stage after back-to-back home wins against Red Star on Matchday 1 and RB Leipzig in Germany on Matchday 2.

Manchester City also returned to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon after back-to-back defeats with a 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion and goals from Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland.

City are currently second and two points behind leaders Tottenham, while Ange Postecoglou’s side are currently unbeaten going into round 10 with seven wins and two draws.

Manchester City will almost certainly feel like they have reached the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night if they record another win, unless something disastrous happens to the winners.

Pep Guardiola has been boosted by the return of John Stones to his defense and midfield in recent days, with the England international taking to the field at the weekend against Roberto De Zerbi’s side.

You can see Manchester City’s full 23-man squad below.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday night, Pep Guardiola explained the competition for places in his starting line-up: “They have an incredible relationship with each other.”

The Manchester City coach continued: “They are competing for jobs and have to convince themselves. Sooner or later the opportunity will appear and you have to be ready.»

Ahead of BSC Young Boys’ clash with Manchester City, plus a visit to Manuel Akanji’s native Switzerland, here’s how we predict Pep Guardiola will play on Wednesday night!

Predicted XI

At right-back, and after his exemplary performance at Leipzig, we expect Rico Lewis to make a fresh start, but operate mainly as a defensive midfielder dominate and add more troops in the central area of ​​​​Manchester City.

As for the central defensive partner, we believe Manuel Akanji will keep his place in the team after the Brighton game this weekend – which also means he will be ruled out of the derby Manchester on Sunday afternoon.

The Swiss international is likely to partner Ruben Dias, while Nathan Ake is expected to join the squad and we believe he will start at left-back for Manchester City at the Stadium Wankdorf.

Rodri will keep his place in defensive midfield, with replacement option Kalvin Phillips unlikely to return to Manchester City’s starting lineup until qualification to the Champions League knockout stages is secured with matches will take place.

Ahead the Spaniard and we believe Mateo Kovacic will also start, perhaps allowing the said defensive midfielder to move forward while the Croatian drops deeper in some phases certain stage of competition. Julian Alvarez rested a bit before the Manchester derby, with the Argentine also known to be effective from the bench, as evidenced by his appearance in the second match against Leipzig.

Bernardo Silva is likely to operate as a right-wing midfielder for Manchester City at Wankdorf, with the Portugal international known for his effectiveness, especially in the Champions League.

Erling Haaland is expected to lead the attack and will want to continue his pursuit from Saturday afternoon.

Jack Grealish could also play on the left, despite Jeremy Doku’s brilliant performance against Brighton last weekend, with the England international enjoying more possession than his fellow striker.

Starting XI: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Ake; Rodri, Kovacic, Foden; Bernardo, Haaland, Grealish.

Substitutes: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Walker, Stones, Gvardiol, Gomez, Phillips, Nunes, Hamilton, Alvarez, Doku, Bobb.