Manchester City get their FIFA Club World Cup campaign underway on Wednesday.
The Premier League club are in action against Moroccan side Wydad AC in Group G, which also includes Juventus and Al Ain.
Pep Guardiola’s men will be looking to get off to the perfect start in Philadelphia, while the contest also provides the legendary coach a first glimpse of his new signings in competitive action, after City included all four of their new stars in their squad for the tournament.
It is hard to predict how strong Man City will go on Wednesday; nevertheless, here is the predicted XI Manchester City News thinks Guardiola will go with to face Wydad AC.
Pep Guardiola claps to the fans after Southampton v Manchester City.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Manchester City team news vs Wydad AC
Man City travelled to the United States without Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker, with the two senior figures the most notable exclusions from Guardiola’s squad.
Mateo Kovacic was also missing on the plane as the Croatian star recently had surgery on an Achilles injury, which has worked out well for the midfielder, who will want to be fit in time for the Premier League getting back underway in August.
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As for the stars that have travelled with Man City to the United States, there is still some doubt about the fitness of John Stones, who ended last season with a thigh injury.
The Englishman returned to full team training this week and may now feature against Wydad AC as Guardiola will want to build up his fitness ahead of the remaining games in the group stage.
Pep Guardiola to get a first glimpse of his new signings, as Rico Lewis to return to right-back
Ederson’s future at Man City remains uncertain; however, the Brazilian is set to start in goal for Man City against Wydad.
Guardiola plans to use Matheus Nunes at right-back for the majority of the FIFA Club World Cup, but Wednesday’s game is a great chance to see Rico Lewis return to the role.
The Man City boss told the BBC at the end of 2023 that the 20-year-old is “one of the best I ever trained by far”, but after an underwhelming 2024/25 campaign, the youngster will be looking to get back on track over the summer in America.
New signing Rayan Ait-Nouri is expected to line up at left-back, while the reliable duo of Ruben Dias and Man City’s 2024/25 Player of the Season Josko Gvardiol will remain at centre-back, having ended last season in top form.
Man City's predicted starting 11 vs Wydad at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Man City’s predicted starting 11 vs Wydad at the FIFA Club World Cup.
In midfield, Man City fans will be over the moon to see Rodri back in action as the Spaniard is expected to return to his number six role against Wydad. Micah Richards thinks Tijjani Reijnders will win Man City the Club World Cup, and the Dutch star is likely to line up alongside the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner.
Man City’s new boy, Rayan Cherki, will likely be deployed in the number 10 role, with Omar Marmoush alongside him on the left, while Phil Foden could start on the right. It is uncertain what level the Englishman is currently at, with the Wydad game being the perfect opportunity to see.
It would be a surprise to see someone other than Erling Haaland leading the line for Man City against Wydad, as the Norwegian star will be planning to do big things in the United States this summer.
Manchester City predicted starting XI vs Wydad AC (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, Reijnders; Foden, Cherki, Marmoush; Haaland.