Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City were held by Ronald Koeman’s Everton at the weekend in the Premier League but the manager cannot dwell too much on the result as he will now travel to Barcelona, his former club, to face them in the group stage of the Champions League on Wednesday. Both teams are in decent form going into this game and are sure to produce a sizzling European encounter on the night. Here is the predicted lineup for both sides:
Barcelona:
Team News:
Luis Enrique will welcome back like of Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto for this game after the duo missed out in the victory over La Coruna at the weekend. This will give the manager a close to full fit squad to chose from for this game.
Formation: 4-3-3
Ter Stegen:
The German should keep his place as the first choice shotstopper for this game against Manchester City.
Sergi Roberto:
Coming back from injury, Roberto should take his place as a right back for this European clash.
Gerard Pique:
Arguably one of the best defenders in Europe, Pique, will start this game for Barcelona at home.
Javier Mascherano:
A strong performance at the weekend should give the Argentine a start along side Pique in the starting XI against City.
Jordi Alba:
Also just returning from injury, Alba, should take his place in the starting lineup at left-back.
Sergio Busquets:
The lynchpin in the middle for Barcelona, Busquets, will start this game against Manchester City.
Andres Iniesta:
The Spaniard has not been starting regularly this season but this game is the right opportunity for Enrique to hand him a start.
Ivan Rakitic:
Having started the season in fine form, Rakitic will have a huge role to play for Barcelona on the night.
Lionel Messi:
An appearance from the bench at the weekend will see Messi fit enough to start this game against Manchester City.
Luis Suarez:
Though not at his best in the last couple of games, Suarez should start this game against City and will be a big threat in front of goal for the English outfit.
Neymar Jr:
The Brazilian is in some sublime form early this season and will start this game for Barcelona.
Manchester City:
Team News:
The manager will miss the services of Bacary Sagna and Fabian Delph for this game both of whom are ruled out. However, club skipper Vincent Komapny is back in action and would want to get a few more minutes under his belt at the Camp Nou.
Formation: 4-3-3
Claudio Bravo:
The summer buy from Barcelona will be back with his former team this week at Camp Nou.
Pablo Zabaleta:
Injuries to players in the squad will see Zabaleta start as right back for City in this game.
John Stones:
An impressive few games will give John Stones plenty of confidence going into this game.
Nicolas Otamendi:
One of the last chances to prove himself now that Kompany is back from injury.
Aleksandar Kolarov:
The left-back has been sublime for Guardiola this season and he should keep his place in the side for this game.
Fernandinho:
Fast growing to be an important player under Guardiola, Fernandinho, should start this game against Barcelona.
Kevin de Bruyne:
Arguably the best player for City this season, De Bruyne, will have a huge role to play if City are to take anything from this game.
Ilkay Gundogan:
Though not yet settling into the team, Gundogan, is an important player for City and will start this game against Barcelona.
David Silva:
The Spaniard is one of the most important player for Guardiola and should keep his place in the side for this clash at the Camp Nou.
Raheem Sterling:
Growing on to be a better players since Guardiola came in, Sterling, will start this game against Barcelona on Wednesday.
Sergio Aguero:
The biggest threat for Barcelona on the night, Sergio Aguero, has not been in great form in the last couple of games but he will hope to have a great day against Barcelona this week.
