Sergio Gomez could make his Manchester City debut at his former club Barcelona this week.
City are in Barcelona for a charity match to raise funds for former Barcelona goalkeeper and coach Juan Carlos Unzue, who has the incurable ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Pep Guardiola has promised a full team will be at the Camp Nou, but suggested he will prioritise those who haven't featured as much in the opening three weekends of the Premier League.
That could give a clue over how many regulars feature, as City have a number of fringe players, including new signing Gomez, ready to step in and ease the load on the squad ahead of Saturday's clash with Crystal Palace.
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In goal, Stefan Ortega can get a useful run-out after starting the opening pre-season friendly of the summer before Ederson returned. There may also be scope for Scott Carson to get some minutes and give Ederson a deserved midweek off.
In defence, Guardiola has already suggested that John Stones will start after missing the pre-season tour and not starting the first two Premier League games or the Community Shield. Alongside him, Nathan Ake is a doubt after limping off at Newcastle, while Ruben Dias has played all but 20 minutes of the season so far. That could give Luke Mbete a chance to impress Guardiola after a solid tour against Club America and Bayern Munich.
Gomez would be an obvious choice at left-back for his debut, at the ground where he started his career but never played for Barcelona. Joao Cancelo shouldn't be risked, and Josh Wilson-Esbrand can play in the second half, so this would be a chance for Gomez to play just a week after signing and show Guardiola what he can do.
On the other side, Rico Lewis could be preferred to Kyle Walker, with Saturday's league clash a priority and Lewis getting some positive comments from Guardiola so far this season.
Kalvin Phillips deserves to start in defensive midfield as Rodri's minutes are managed, with an opportunity to experiment with exactly how he's used in midfield. The other two midfield spots may have to be rotated between the four who started against Newcastle, with Bernardo and Kevin De Bruyne perhaps starting and Ilkay Gundogan replacing them along with Rodri.
In attack, Erling Haaland should be rested too, giving Julian Alvarez a chance to show his qualities against a top side without the pressure of a Premier League game. Jack Grealish, if fit, should return on the left, with Cole Palmer worthy of a run-out on the left.
Riyad Mahrez didn't play against Newcastle so can be used for rotation, as can Phil Foden later in the game if needed.
Man City predicted XI vs Barcelona: Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Mbete, Gomez; Phillips, De Bruyne, Bernardo; Palmer, Alvarez, Grealish.
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