Manchester City will be hoping they can seal their spot in the knockout stages of the Club World Cup when they take on Al Ain on Monday at 2am (UK time).
Man City predicted lineup vs Al Ain
Man City (4-1-4-1): Ortega; Nunes, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Reijnders; Bobb, Gundogan, Echeverri, Silva; Haaland.
The Citizens started the Club World Cup with victory over Wydad AC, thanks to goals from Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku. Victory over Al Ain will secure their spot in the knockout stages.
Pep Guardiola’s side will want to get that spot sealed, knowing they face Juventus in their final came which should decide who finishes top.
Man City team news vs Al Ain
Rico Lewis was sent off in Man City’s win over Wydad so sits out here in an enforced change. Matheus Nunes is the man most likely to replace him, unless Guardiola goes down a less orthodox route.
And we’ve come to expect that from the Man City boss. In fact, Guardiola has stated that there will be 10 new players “to try and win” against Al Ain. Nunes for Lewis is one of them, but who else will be eyeing up minutes?
We may see a completely shifted backline with Nunes joined by Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol. Stefan Ortega is likely to start in goal.
If Guardiola does go with 10 changes, Erling Haaland is likely to lead the line with Omar Marmoush dropping down to the bench. We’ll also expect starts for Bernardo Silva and Claudio Echeverri.
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The only position we’d not expect to see a change in is in that holding midfield role. Guardiola will surely want to keep Tijjani Reijnders at the base, with Rodri still working back to match fitness after his long-term injury.
A chance for Haaland
It feels a bit strange saying Erling Haaland needs a chance to get himself back into the Man City starting XI. But that may be the case.
The Norwegian has taken his time in returning from injury, with three goalless games from four starts at the end of the domestic season. He did score on the final day of the Premier League against Bournemouth, but had to watch on as Omar Marmoush led the line in the Club World Cup opener.
Haaland came on the bench for the final 30 minutes against Wydad, hitting the target with one of his two shots. He also missed a big chance — all while having just eight touches. Haaland has got used to not having much time on the ball, completing two of his three attempted passes in the 30 minutes. But it’s all about what he does with it.
In the Premier League in 2024-25, Haaland scored 22 goals and had 696 touches. That’s a goal every 31.6 touches of the ball. In 2023-24, Haaland averaged a goal every 25.8 touches of the ball, while that rate stood at 23.1 touches in 2022-23. If Haaland can re-find that effectiveness, Man City will have a very good chance of winning the Club World Cup