Manchester City will travel to the Stadion Maksimir to clash heads with Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday evening having already booked their place in the next round of the UEFA Champions League as the group winners. Hence, there would be no pressure for the Citizens to force a result which will give them the freedom to express themselves on the field.
Pep Guardiola will be tempted to make a whole host of changes to his starting XI for this clash, but the Spaniard will stick with his preferred 4-3-3 formation in midweek.
4-3-3 Manchester City Predicted Lineup To Face Dinamo Zagreb
Defence
Claudio Bravo will start in goal for the Citizens in this dead-rubber clash versus Dinamo Zagreb. Ederson will be rested ahead of a trip to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday. Eric Garcia might get the nod to start alongside Nicolas Otamendi at the centre of the Man City backline. Garcia has been impressive for his side in the Carabao Cup, so he is most likely to start as Guardiola looks to hand Fernandinho some much-needed break. John Stones is unlikely to recover in time to feature in this midweek clash at Zagreb.
Joao Cancelo will operate in the right-back position while Benjamin Mendy fills in on the other side as the left-back.
Midfield
Guardiola might choose to go with a youthful midfield comprised of Tommy Doyle, Phil Foden and Ilkay Gundogan. All three midfielders will focus on creating some clear-cut chances for the front players. Doyle had caught the eye with his performance against Southampton in the Carabao Cup back in October. This upcoming contest against Dinamo would be another opportunity for him to shine at the senior level.
David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne are expected to be rested for this Champions League encounter, but Rodri might be available on the bench.
Attack
Ian Poveda might get a chance to prove his worth alongside senior players, Gabriel Jesus and Riyad Mahrez as part of the Man City frontline. Mahrez will carry most of the goal-scoring workload down the right flank. Jesus will also have a point to prove after failing to register his name on the scoresheet versus Manchester United last weekend.
