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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Joe Bray

Nathan Ake and Aleks Zinchenko start in Man City predicted team to face Southampton in FA Cup

Pep Guardiola could make changes to his Manchester City team in the FA Cup at Southampton while still fielding a strong side to try and set up a Wembley semi-final.

City come into the quarter-final on the back of two goalless draws and have failed to beat Southampton twice in the Premier League this season. With a Wembley spot at stake and the chances of a treble on the line, Guardiola is likely to treat this game extremely seriously with a strong line-up.

Despite that, the FA Cup offers a chance for players who may not usually feature to impress, and that could see recalls for Aleks Zinchenko and Nathan Ake.

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Zack Steffen, injured for the last round at Peterborough, should come back in as City's cup goalkeeper, while Ake should get a chance at centre-back. John Stones can partner him to offer a right-footed option.

Kyle Walker is seemingly out of favour for club and country, so could do with a big performance at right-back. Zinchenko would be a popular choice on the left, as Joao Cancelo could benefit from a rest ahead of Portugal's big World Cup play-offs.

Normally, Fernandinho would come in for a game like this, but Rodri may be needed given it is a quarter-final and Southampton have proved hard to beat so far this season. If Fernandinho did play, though, it wouldn't weaken City.

With Kevin De Bruyne rested for Belgium and Ilkay Gundogan unused last week, it would make sense for both to play in midfield as Guardiola will probably look for control of the midfield as key to breaking down Southampton. Bernardo Silva's energy could be useful off the bench if needed.

And in attack, Gabriel Jesus' omission from the Brazil squad should give him licence to start, while Raheem Sterling will want to show why he should have been brought on against Crystal Palace.

Jack Grealish should get the final place in the attack in order to keep up momentum going into the international break. Players like Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Riyad Mahrez would be available to come on later in the game.

Man City predicted team to face Southampton: Steffen; Walker, Stones, Ake, Zinchenko; Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Jesus, Grealish, Sterling.

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