Manchester City start their 2026/27 Premier League campaign against Bournemouth at home, with Enzo Maresca set to make his Etihad Stadium debut as the club's new manager.
Antoine Semenyo reunited with AFC Bournemouth once more!
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The Premier League is back as Manchester City’s first game puts them up against an opposition that ended their 2025/26 title dream back in May: Bournemouth.
At the Vitality Stadium that night, Andoni Iraola's then-Cherries opened the scoreline via a wonderful Eli Junior Kroupi effort, and despite Erling Haaland’s late equaliser in off the post, the result crowned Mikel Arteta and Arsenal as Premier League champions.
City added some shine to last season by winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, whilst since meeting with the Gunners in the 2026 FA Community Shield, but Enzo Maresca’s men were no challenge for Arteta’s side who ran away 3-0 victors.
Goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard secured a season curtain-raising win for the Gunners, whilst an injury to Jeremy Doku only added further salt to the wounds as the Belgian now misses the Premier League opener for the club this weekend.
After the defeat in Wales, a trio of Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders and Savinho all left the club on a permanent basis by joining FC Barcelona, Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah, and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
Manchester City have confirmed the departure of legendary defensive midfielder Rodri for FC Barcelona after a stellar seven-season stay at the Etihad Stadium.cityxtra.co.ukRodri Leaves Manchester City For FC Barcelona After Seven Seasons
Manchester City have confirmed the departure of legendary defensive midfielder Rodri for FC Barcelona after a stellar seven-season stay at the Etihad Stadium.
On the other side, no new signings were made by Manchester City this week, meaning the Blues currently have an official first-team squad comprising of: Donnarumma, Rulli, Bertinelli; Lewis, Nunes, Dias, Guéhi, Gvardiol, Khusanov, Reis, O’Reilly, Ait- Nouri, Wilson-Esbrand; Nico (linked to Newcastle), Kovacic, Anderson, Echeverri, Foden, Cherki; Semenyo, Grealish, Doku (injured), Monga, Marmoush (linked to Tottenham), Haaland.
With a first match to be played in front of the Manchester City fans, Enzo Maresca has a fine opportunity to shift the tide around and kick start the brand new league season with a positive outcome.
Here is our Predicted XI for the first time without Pep Guardiola as a manager at the Etihad Stadium!
Predicted XI
Despite putting in a relatively poor Community Shield display, and certainly in terms of traditional shot-stopping, Gianluigi Donnarumma should still be between the sticks for the Blues as he now wears the No.1 shirt at the club.
As a right-back, Matheus Nunes may now benefit from a lack of wingers currently on the squad in order to push higher up the pitch when in possession, while still tracking back in the defensive line when not having the ball.
Marc Guéhi should be back in the starting line-up after only returning from holidays last week, starting as the right-sided centre-half, both with and without possession.
Likely to be made Manchester City’s new official club captain in the coming days, Rúben Dias should be Gúehi’s pairing as a left centre-back, while being at the centre of the first line in build-up play.
To complete the backline, Josko Gvardiol could feature once again on the left, part of both the defending structure and the three-man line adopted by Enzo Maresca in construction of attacking phases of play.
Manchester City are supporting and training closely with Gianluigi Donnarumma in attempting to guide the Italian towards better playing out and building from the back ahead of the new season under Enzo Maresca.cityxtra.co.ukMan City Plot Gianluigi Donnarumma Possession Plan to Combat Mistakes
Manchester City are supporting and training closely with Gianluigi Donnarumma in attempting to guide the Italian towards better playing out and building from the back ahead of the new season under Enzo Maresca.
In order to create a box midfield, Elliot Anderson and Mateo Kovacic could start together at the heart of the Manchester City structure, creating a double-pivot.
Nico O’Reilly can also be used as a midfielder - his natural position when coming from the Academy. Next to the England international, Rayan Cherki should begin his first full 90 minutes of the season, completing a square or diamond shape in attacking phases.
Arguably the best player on the pre-season tour, Antoine Semenyo should be on the Manchester City starting line-up against his former club, but this time on the left-wing spot.
Up front, Erling Haaland leads the way. Who else?
With this line up, Manchester City would attack with a 3-2-5 and defend in a 4-4-2.
Manchester City’s Phil Foden is set to play a ‘key part’ in new head coach Enzo Maresca’s first-team plans next term, as per a recent report.cityxtra.co.ukManchester City’s Phil Foden is set to play a ‘key part’ in new head coach Enzo Maresca’s first-team plans next term, as per a recent report.
Enzo Maresca outlines Phil Foden plans after Manchester City show of faith with new contract
Starting XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guéhi, Gvardiol; Anderson, Kovacic, O’Reilly, Cherki; Semenyo, Haaland.
Substitutes: Rulli, Khusanov, Reis, Lewis, Ait-Nouri, Nico, Foden, Grealish, Marmoush.