Manchester City will resume their quest for Champions League qualification when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad on Friday.
The game at the Etihad kicks off at 8pm and will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event.
Man City predicted lineup vs Wolves
Man (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Kovacic, Silva; McAtee, Gundogan, Marmoush; De Bruyne.
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Man City team news vs Wolves
Man City remain without Rodri, Erling Haaland, John Stones and Nathan Ake, while both Oscar Bobb and Ederson are doubts for this Premier League tie against Wolves.
Kevin De Bruyne recently confirmed he will be leaving the club at the end of the season and will be hoping to leave with a bang, returning to the side to face Wolves after being left on the bench against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.
James McAtee was unavailable to face Forest at the weekend due to suspension and could therefore return to the side against Wolves, having started the last Premier League fixture against Aston Villa.
Pep Guardiola’s system change?
With Erling Haaland out, Guardiola has began to implement new details to his Man City side, which has seen Omar Marmoush starting from the left even in the absence of the Norwegian talisman, and Nico O’Reilly enter the fray in a brand new role.
Marmoush was clearly signed to add relentless running to Guardiola’s frontline, leaning into the Premier League’s more direct approach which seems to be coming back into fashion this season specifically.
The Egyptian is averaging 3.51 shots per 90 minutes, scoring 0.59 goals from open play per 90 since his arrival. He’s also attemptied 3.03 take-ons per 90, looking to be direct with his actions and make his impact on the game.
With no Haaland, many expected Marmoush to operate through the middle, but instead Guardiola has decided to make some other tweaks to his system, enabling Marmoush to still thrive in a similar role, using some of his midfield players as a false nine and utilising O’Reilly to platform this effectively.
The 20-year-old Man City midfielder who has emerged through the academy system is now being used at left-back, giving Guardiola the versatility and profile need to support Marmoush by making overlapping runs and underlapping runs, whilst also adding defensive qualities in transition and physical prowess to the side.
These changes have allowed Guardiola to lean into the physicality of the Premier League more in recent weeks, and it will be very interesting to see where he takes things next season with Haaland back and new signings being touted.