Manchester City vs Ipswich predicted XIs: Team news and probable line-ups
Manchester City welcome Ipswich to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday for the champions’ opening home game of the new Premier League season.
Predicted XIs:
Man City (4-3-3): Ederson; Gvardiol, Dias, Akanji, Lewis; Kovacic, De Bruyne; Foden; Bernardo Silva, Doku; Haaland.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1): Walton; Davis, Greaves, Woolfenden, Tuanzebe; Luongo, Morsey; Johnson, Chaplin, Hutchison; Delap.
The 24th August clash is a 3pm kick-off, with Pep Guardiola’s squad looking to make it two wins from two matches.
Ipswich are back in the top flight after a 22-year absence and Kieran McKenna’s men opened up with a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool and now face defending champions City.
Foden ready for City start
Pep Guardiola was keen to give some of his stars extra time to prepare for the new season, following a summer international tournament.
Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Nathan Ake were all named on the bench for the 2-0 win at Chelsea, with only Foden making an appearance.
The England forward replaced the injured new signing Savinho at the break and Foden is expected to start against Ipswich on Saturday.
Foden, who scored 19 Premier League goals last term, was named Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year earlier this week.
The Stockport playmaker collected the accolade having become the youngster star to collect six Premier League winners’ medals – at the age of just 23.
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Ipswich set for midfield change
The visitors are likely to make at least one change to the side that started the defeat to Liverpool, with Wes Burns set to miss out.
The Wales international suffered a hamstring injury in the second half at Portman Road and is a major doubt for the trip to the north west.
Former City forward Liam Delap will likely start as Ipswich’s loan striker, but loan signing Kalvin Phillips is ineligible to face his parent club.
Euro 2024 winner Rodri wasn’t ready to feature at Stamford Bridge and could miss out again for City, with a September return looking most likely for the Spain International.
Meanwhile, the Citizens will hand a late fitness test to Savinho, following his knee injury, while Stones, Walker and Jack Grealish are all in contention to start.
Oscar Bobb faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a broken leg prior to the season opener.
