Manchester City host Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium in their first home Premier League fixture since an independent commission found the club guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules between 2009-18.
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The UEFA Champions League returned to Manchester in midweek as City and Paris Saint Germain played out a six-goal thriller at the Etihad Stadium.
Despite the hosts' resurgence in the second 45 minutes, the visitors grabbed a 4-2 away win thanks to a stunning first-half display.
Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha netted in the first 32 minutes and Maghnes Akliouche restored the visitors' three goal cushion after Erling Haaland pulled one back, though the Norwegian scored another to complete a brace and become Manchester City's all-time record goalscorer in the Champions League.
In their most recent Premier League outing, Manchester City traveled to Anfield to face Liverpool. After Ryan Gravenberch was sent off just past the hour mark, Enzo Maresca's men dominated Andoni Iraola’s side as Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki put three past Alisson Becker to make it six wins in six in the league.
With a 100 percent win rate and 18 points so far, the Blues sit top of the table as they welcome newly-promoted Ipswich Town to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
City's last meeting with the Tractor Boys came in January 2025, when a trip to Portman Road saw the then Premier League champions secure an outstanding 6-0 win on the road. At the Etihad Stadium, the most recent meeting was in September 2024 - a 4-1 comeback win for Pep Guardiola and co.
Amid the tension involving the appeal in their case against the Premier League, City will perform in front of their own fans for the first time in the Premier League, hoping to extend their positive run.
Here is how we predict the Manchester City starting line-up will look against Ipswich Town:
Predicted XI
Despite a poor performance midweek against his former club PSG, Gianluigi Donnarumma might still start in goal this Saturday.
Matheus Nunes is arguably indispensable for Manchester City and his performances prove that. Whether as an advanced, inverted or defensive full-back, the Portuguese should be in the XI.
Another key player to Maresca’s system is Marc Guehi, who may be in line to feature one more time at the heart of defence. Captain Ruben Dias should complete the duo at the back, forming an already good partnership.
On the left, Nico O’Reilly deserves his chance as a starter again after being taken out of the side for Josko Gvardiol against Luis Enrique's formidable PSG in midweek.
It is impossible to imagine a City XI without the influence of Eliott Anderson. He should start once again, especially after his Player of the Match performance against Liverpool last week and an impressive second-half display against PSG on Wednesday night.
Enzo Fernandez has always been trusted by his namesake Maresca. The number 17 should be on the pitch one more time.
City’s offensive creativity shall pass by Rayan Cherki's brilliance as the France international looks to improve on a disappointing outing against PSG, just days after starring in the win over Liverpool.
Iliman Ndiaye changed the rhythm of the PSG encounter when he was subbed on at half-time in midweek. This time, we predict that he will play on the right as he is capable of putting a shift on both flanks.
Bringing the energy on the left will be a task for Jeremy Doku. The Belgian winger can take advantage against a fragile Ipswich Town defence - who have conceded at least once in all matches this season.
Up front, it is simple: Erling Haaland starts. He scores a goal in every game and should do so this weekend.
Starting XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Fernandez; Ndiaye, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.
Substitutes: Rulli; Khusanov, Reis, Lewis, Gvardiol; Bouaddi, Kovacic, Foden; Semenyo.