Pep Guardiola was in a mellow mood ahead of Manchester City’s home clash with Leeds but had some positive news.
After Kevin De Bruyne was pictured back in training on Thursday, the Blues boss confirmed he was in contention for the starting XI on Saturday, should he come through Friday’s training session in good shape.
He missed the wins over Fulham and West Ham due to a leg knock but his return would undoubtedly be a huge boost for City, who will be looking to prevent a new manager bounce with Sam Allardyce in the dugout for his first Leeds outing.
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Meanwhile, Guardiola hinted that Ederson would come back into the side after being rested against West Ham as Stefan Ortega came in. The Catalan coach will have one eye on the Champions League first leg against Real Madrid this Tuesday.
He will hope for a similar scenario as happened against Leicester ahead of the Champions League quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich. City dominated the first half and were 3-0 up within 28 minutes so Guardiola was able to take off key players for rest.
And so, Guardiola may opt to pick a strong line-up against Leeds this weekend with the treble still on. Ederson could be guarded by a back three of Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake, who scored the opener against West Ham.
John Stones and Rodri have hardly put a foot wrong as the two holding pivots and there is no reason to drop them initially. Bernardo may begin on the right with Riyad Mahrez more likely to start in Madrid. If fit, De Bruyne may partner Ilkay Gundogan in central midfield with the in-form Jack Grealish on the left.
Erling Haaland is bound to be selected and try to build on his Premier League record of 35 goals in a single season. A win over Leeds would send them four points clear of Arsenal ahead of their game with Newcastle on Sunday.
Predicted XI: Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Ake; Stones, Rodri; Bernardo, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland.
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