Manchester City will take on Hoffenheim at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena on Tuesday evening hoping to earn the first victory of their UEFA Champions League campaign. The Citizens lost 2-1 to Lyon on the opening night and needs to secure a positive result versus Julian Nagelsmann’s team in midweek if they are to be in a strong position to qualify from their group.
However, it won’t be an easy feat to come away with all three points from Germany, so Man City needs to play at their best and not get complacent on Tuesday. Pep Guardiola is expected to opt for a 4-3-3 formation and might hand Riyad Mahrez a start up top for the Citizens.
4-3-3 Manchester City Predicted Lineup To Face Hoffenheim
Defence
Ederson is the only senior keeper at the Etihad Stadium, so it’s a no-brainer that he would start versus Hoffenheim in midweek while the young goalie, Arijanet Muric would play second-fiddle to the Brazilian shot-stopper on Guardiola’s bench.
The duo of Aymeric Laporte and John Stones could lineup in central defence while Kyle Walker is expected to resume his defensive duties at right-back. Fabian Delph might operate as a makeshift left-back with Benjamin Mendy out of this European encounter as he still recovers from his injury.
The Citizens have kept three clean sheets in a row in their last three outings across all competitions following their opening night defeat against Lyon in the UEFA Champions League. Guardiola’s backline will be confident of keeping their good defensive run going when they lace up versus Hoffenheim on Tuesday evening.
Midfield
The trio of İlkay Gündoğan, Fernandinho and Bernardo Silva might play at the middle of the pitch. The Brazilian will operate as a deep-lying holding midfielder while the other two looks to facilitate some opportunities for the front players in the attacking third.
Attack
Guardiola might choose to opt for a front three comprised of Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez up top. Both Aguero and Sterling managed to find the back of the net against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday and will look to repeat the feat versus the German opponents in midweek.
Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane are expected to make an impact from the bench if required.
