Erling Haaland and Manuel Akanji could both start against their former side on Wednesday when Manchester City take on Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
City will have had eight days rest when they take to the field against Dortmund, after their blockbuster clash with Tottenham at the weekend was postponed following the death of the Queen. It will be Pep Guardiola's side's second group game of the campaign following the 4-0 win over Sevilla last time out and a victory over the German outfit would stand them in great stead for qualification ahead of a doubleheader with FC Copenhagen.
Haaland and Akanji could be set for swift reunions with Dortmund after swapping Signal Iduna Park for the Etihad this summer. Akanji came into the side after just one training session and put in a really solid display against Sevilla, which may well see him keep his spot ahead of Nathan Ake.
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Aymeric Laporte has returned to training ahead of the match following knee surgery in May which has seen him sit out every match so far this season. The Spanish international isn't ready to play though, while Kyle Walker missed training and is expected to remain sidelined until after the international break. John Stones is back after a knock, however, but might not be rushed back into the starting XI.
"Manu [Akanji] with just one training session did well," Guardiola said ahead of the game. We have seen in that we are very happy. It is the first training session [for Aymeric Laporte] and I don't know, but this is good. It is going really well and we are very happy for that. After the break they will be ready to start the training."
As a result, the back-line could well remain unchanged with Ruben Dias, Sergio Gomez and Joao Canelo all starting alongside Akanji. Further forward, it's difficult to see Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri dropping to the bench for such an important game. Ilkay Gundogan may come into the fold, though, to offer a bit more control in the middle against his old side.
That doesn't mean Bernardo Silva would necessarily be dropped though, he could be pushed into the forward line with Jack Grealish making way instead. The Portguese would join Haaland and Phil Foden in attack.
Predicted City starting XI vs Dortmund: Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Akanji, Gomez; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Bernardo, Haaland, Foden.
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