Manchester City will be hosting Huddersfield Town for their Premier League fixture at the Etihad on Sunday. The Citizens have nothing else to fight for this season other than trying to break three of Chelsea’s league record – total points obtained, total number of goals scored and total number of wins registered.
Pep Guardiola’s men are only a goal away from tying up the goal-tally of the Blues but would still need 2 wins from the remaining 2 games to break the other two records.
The visitors, on the other hand, could do with a sacrificial loss from the league champions. David Wagner’s men are held off the bottom three by just three points and still have 3 more games to play. A win here would definitely place them in a much stronger position with Southampton struggling to put up any points of their own.
Stoke City have already been relegated but the neighbouring teams are proving to be hard competitors. West Ham United just boosted themselves up to the 15th spot on the points table with a 5 point lead over the Terriers.
If anything, Wagner will have to pray for a miracle on Sunday evening rather than hedging all of their bets on their other two games of the season, which will be against Chelsea and Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola’s managerial seat at the Etihad is secured after the double he just registered for the campaign. He will be eager to finish the season on a strong note.
Here is how the Spaniard might field his team to counter the Huddersfield resistance.
Formation: 4-3-3
Defence
Ederson has played the entirety of the league season and has 15 clean sheets to his name. He might look to resume his duties in between the sticks.
The defensive quartet should get filled by Danilo, Nicolas Otamendi, Aymeric Laporte and Benjamin Mendy. The Frenchman’s return is much anticipated after missing out almost the entire season with a knee injury.
Kyle Walker, John Stones and Vincent Kompany remains sidelined with injuries.
Midfield
Yaya Toure might start in place of Fernandinho. The Ivory Coast international might get partnered up with David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.
Attack
Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling are to spread the floor by taking over the flank roles. Gabriel Jesus might get the nod for the lone striker position.
Bernardo Silva could make a substitute appearance if required.
