Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Latest City injury news and predicted City starting eleven | OneFootball

Manchester City take on Real Madrid tonight at the Etihad. Tonight’s match is the first leg of the Champions League knockout play-off round tie between the two teams. It is also the fourth consecutive season that the two teams have crossed paths in the Champions League knockout stages. Real Madrid eliminated Manchester City in the 21/22 and the 23/24 seasons with nail-biting two-legged victories. City emphatically dispatched Real Madrid in the 22/23 season with a 5-1 aggregate win en route to winning the treble and their maiden Champions League title. Tonight’s match could set the scene for another epic tie between the two teams.

Here is the latest City injury news and my predicted City starting eleven ahead of tonight’s match.

Latest Manchester City injury news.

Pep Guardiola almost has a full squad to pick from tonight’s match. Rodri and Oscar Bobb are out of tonight’s match due to injury.

John Stones, Nathan Ake, Ederson and Ruben Dias have all trained ahead of tonight’s match. Stones has now played in three consecutive matches and does look fit and almost back to his best. Ruben Dias played 45 minutes against Leyton Orient. The hope is that he is fit enough to play 90 minutes against Real Madrid tonight. Ederson has resumed training, and the hope is that he can start in goal tonight. Ake has finally returned to training after injury also.

The biggest concern for Manchester City ahead of tonight’s match is the fitness of Nico. Manchester City’s new midfielder was substituted after 20 minutes against Leyton Orient. However, he was pictured training with his teammates yesterday. But a report from TNT Sports Brasil, which was relayed by CityXtra on X, indicates that Nico is in doubt for tonight’s match due to lower back pain. His availability will be known when the two teams announce their starting lineups.

Predicted City starting eleven.

Ederson: It would be expected if Ederson is fit that he starts in goal tonight. His ability in possession could be vital for his team.

Manuel Akanji: I can’t see Matheus Nunes or Rico Lewis starting at right-back tonight. That will likely see Manuel Akanji start in the position. Although there is a case for Abdukodir Khusanov to start in the role based on how he played against Leyton Orient. But I expect Pep Guardiola to go with what he knows on such a big occasion.

Ruben Dias: Dias played 45 minutes against Leyton Orient. I expect him to start tonight and his leadership will be vital in tonight’s match.

John Stones: Stones has played well since returning from injury. I expect him to start tonight ahead of Nathan Ake.

Josko Gvardiol: Gvardiol is an automatic selection at left-back. I can’t see that changing tonight.

Nico: If Nico is fit for tonight’s match I expect him to start in midfield. If he is fit Nico will have a massive role to play for his new team.

Mateo Kovacic: I’d be more surprised if Kovacic didn’t start in midfield. If Nico starts Kovacic could play in his preferred role in midfield.

Phil Foden: Foden appears to be an automatic selection for tonight’s match.

Omar Marmoush: With Marmoush available for selection for the remainder of Manchester City’s Champions League campaign I expect him to start tonight.

Savinho: The Brazilian international has been in good form of late. I expect him to start but it also wouldn’t surprise me to see him drop to the bench and De Bruyne start.

Erling Haaland: Is tonight the night when Haaland finally breaks his duck against Real Madrid? If the service is there he could prosper against Real Madrid’s makeshift defence.