After dismantling Juventus 5-2 on Thursday, Manchester City are heading into their contest against Al-Hilal in high spirits ahead of the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Throughout the competition, Pep Guardiola has made plenty of changes to his sides, keeping opposition managers and fans on their toes.
Bernardo Silva likes having a “big squad” and the Portuguese international revealed that this very aspect has helped City during the tournament as well.
However, now that the knockout rounds are set to start, the Manchester City boss could name close to a full-strength side against Al-Hilal, making five changes to the side that demolished Juventus.
Man City team news vs Al-Hilal
Sadly, for Pep Guardiola, Claudio Echeverri suffered an ankle injury, with the two-time treble-winner confirming that he could be ruled out for two to three weeks, deeming him unavailable for the clash.
PEP 💬 [Claudio Echeverri] has a problem in the ankle. Will be two or three weeks out. I feel so sorry for him from all of us.
We’ll play new players [against Juventus]. And second half too, I'll make the selection tomorrow thinking of the second half. In these conditions we… pic.twitter.com/Bbm2Oe5RrG
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 25, 2025
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Meanwhile, Rico Lewis is suspended to face Al-Hilal after being handed a further two-match ban after being sent off against Wydad AC.
With Mateo Kovacic missing the Club World Cup due to his injury as well as Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish not being named in the squad, they remain unavailable for selection as well.
Phil Foden could start for Man City against Al-Hilal
Despite Ederson Moraes’ error in the lead-up to Teun Koopmeiners’ goal as his misplaced pass gifted the Dutchman a golden opportunity, he is likely to keep his place in Manchester City’s XI against Al-Hilal — standing out due to his impeccable distribution against Juventus.
Matheus Nunes provided an assist against the Serie A giants and it seems as if Pep Guardiola could reward his impressive display by sticking with him at right-back.
Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol formed a solid partnership at the backend of last season and in a big game, Pep Guardiola could opt for the pair and bench Manuel Akanji in the process.
Rayan Ait-Nouri garnered praise from Jeremy Doku after his sparkling showing against Juventus and as a result, the Manchester City defender could retain his place at left-back against Al-Hilal.
Rayan Ait-Nouri points to himself and sticks his tongue out in celebration after setting up a goal in Man City vs Juventus.
Photo by Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Despite Rodri looking the part upon his first start for months against Juve, Pep Guardiola might rest the Spaniard to ease him into proceedings upon his recent return from his ACL injury and start Ilkay Gundogan as a number six again.
Tijjani Reijnders shone in defensive midfield against Wydad but due to City being set to play a big game, perhaps a seasoned campaigner like Gundogan may anchor the defence instead, with the Dutchman playing alongside him.
With Rayan Cherki coming off the bench in the last two games, he could return to the starting line-up to replace Bernardo Silva.
Similarly, Phil Foden has not started the last two games either but for Manchester City’s upcoming contest against Al-Hilal, Pep Guardiola could test out how him and Cherki fare alongside each other and bench Savinho.
Phil Foden in action for Manchester City v Wydad AC at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
Erling Haaland was devastatingly good against Juventus, scoring a goal and providing a pre-assist for Foden’s goal, as it looks like he has earned his place in the starting line-up, replacing Omar Marmoush in the process.
Finally, on the left flank, Jeremy Doku seems guaranteed to start after winning the Superior Player of the Match award against Igor Tudor’s side in his previous outing.
Man City predicted line-up vs Al-Hilal: Ederson, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri, Gundogan, Reijnders, Cherki, Foden, Haaland, Doku