Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between AFC Bournemouth and City
Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden could be vying for one spot in Manchester City's FA Cup final line-up
Manchester City are in FA Cup final action today as they take on Crystal Palace at Wembley.
City are unbeaten in 10 games heading into the contest and will begin as slight favourites against a dangerous Eagles team. Pep Guardiola has an almost fully-fit squad to choose from although some players have only recently returned to training.
It means the Etihad chief is faced with a couple of selection dilemmas for the showpiece.
Here's how our writers think City should line up this afternoon:
Simon Bajkowski
Can you pick Kevin De Bruyne 11 times? No, and you probably shouldn't either if you want to be solid at the back.
As much as it's a sentimental pick, sentiment matters for things like this. All the players will be expecting him to start and it will be an uncomfortable dressing room if Guardiola opts against using the Belgian in his final ever appearance for them at Wembley.
The other factor is that even if De Bruyne isn't what he was (which he isn't), nobody else is in the kind of form that warrants keeping him out. Phil Foden hasn't led the team from that position like he did last year, Jeremy Doku didn't quite do enough to guarantee a start coming off the bench at Southampton and nobody else is really putting their hand up.
I'd start Omar Marmoush with De Bruyne behind Erling Haaland and give Doku the nod ahead of Savinho, with a midfield pair of Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva behind them.
In defence, Nico O'Reilly has to start and Manu Akanji is a better defender than Matheus Nunes. If you want to start your best goalkeeper, unless Ortega is becoming No.1 next season, then Ederson plays.
Simon's team: Ederson, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly, Kovacic, Silva, Marmoush, De Bruyne, Doku, Haaland
Joe Bray
At the risk of starting a riot, I can see the value in bringing De Bruyne off the bench rather than starting him. City will want to avoid a repeat of the two slow starts against Palace this season and maybe a more cautious starting XI could be in order. Marmoush did well off the bench at Southampton and may be better in that second striker role behind Erling Haaland.
Guardiola wanted more width off the bench at Southampton so I could see Bernardo or Doku on the flanks, and I think it makes sense to play Ilkay Gundogan after his recent form. With someone like De Bruyne on the bench, he can be unleashed in the second half and hopefully given free rein to sign off in style at Wembley.
In defence, I think it will be harsh to drop O'Reilly - but after Palace targeted him at the Etihad last month and with Akanji back the back line will be more balanced with Josko Gvardiol on the left, Akanji next to Ruben Dias in the middle, and possibly Nunes at right back due to his pace. If it's not working, Rico Lewis can continue his semi-final form in a straight swap.
Joe's team: Ortega, Nunes, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo, Marmoush, Doku, Haaland.
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Alex James
I understand the argument for Ortega in goal but I'd start Ederson. He's first choice for a reason and this is a cup final and a game that will somewhat define the campaign.
At the other end of the pitch it's inconceivable that Haaland doesn't start. He's the world's best striker and while he didn't hit his straps at Southampton, City are more dangerous with him in the XI. Doku made a difference off the bench last week and should fill one of the wide roles and Marmoush merits an outing in the other.
This time 12 months ago picking a team for a game of this magnitude without Foden would have been considered madness but he's not had the desired impact in recent weeks and could change a game off the bench. De Bruyne starts for me. Sentiment aside, he was exceptional against Palace at the Etihad and was the matchwinner against Wolves. His form has him in the team.
Bernardo and Kovacic can be the pivots in midfield and Dias and Gvardiol are nailed on in the backline. I'd play the latter at left back where he can offer more of an attacking outlet. That is tough on O'Reilly but Palace exploited him somewhat at the Etihad and while neither Nunes nor Lewis have entirely convinced at right back I would be tempted to start the latter out of the available options. Akanji can partner Dias in the middle.
Alex's team: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Marmoush, Doku, Haaland.