The Manchester City juggernaut keeps rolling as Pep Guardiola’s men enter UEFA Champions League action to elaborate their quest further for a quadruple this season. In the league, they have a massive 13 point lead at the top of the table and are looking increasingly set on bringing home the league trophy come May. After a heavy spending summer, that saw the Arab owners lavishly dish around their cash, City were boasting of a squad full of world-class talent. Pep not only had eleven quality players but also a bench that would be in the starting line-up for most teams around Europe. With such heavy artillery at his disposal, it is no surprise to find City where they are now.
The Citizens have just lost once in the league and one inconsequential Champions League match after locking down on their qualification to the next stage of Europe. Their incredible form has set a record in England for the highest consecutive league wins and City are looking increasingly dominant with each passing day.
They are coming up against a fighting Basel side who are largely considered to be the minnows for this clash.
With the busy winter fixture proving to be a tricky business, Guardiola will hope to not lose any more players this week. Having already lost the likes of Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Benjamin Mendy to long-term injuries, Guardiola will want to see his players protected.
Here is how the Spanish tactician will look to line-up his unstoppable team.
Formation: 4-3-3
Defence
Ederson who has been in fine form this season can be expected in goal one more time for the Citizens. He will be expecting a comfortable match in goal compared to the other high-profile matches in the UEFA Champions League. The heart of the defence will be managed by Nicolas Otamendi and Aymeric Laporte with John Stones out on the bench once again.
The right wing back can be expected to be Kyle Walker with Danilo expected to play on the left with young Oleksandr Zinchenko expected on the bench.
Midfield
A midfield trio of Fernandinho at the base with Ilkay Gundogan as one of the attacking centre midfielders and Kevin De Bruyne as the other man in the midfield can be expected. David Silva failed to start the last match and it is still unsure if the Spanish wizard will be fit enough to start for City for this match.
Attack
Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva can be expected to flank Sergio Aguero for City with Gabriel Jesus out of action. Aguero will be hoping to continue his excellent goal scoring streak and Guardiola will know that even if Aguero can repeat half his heroics from the Leicester City match, they will be more than comfortable on the night.
