After a disappointing draw against Everton, City go into this weekend asking themselves many questions. Is 3-5-2 really the way forward? Why on earth is Leroy Sane playing as LWB? Can Aguero and Jesus co-exist up top? Why isn’t Sterling starting? I believe all of these questions will be answered against Bournemouth on Saturday. Guardiola will revert back to the 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1 from last season that worked wonders near the end of the season. I don’t know why he strayed away from that shape but it is badly needed against teams that are going to play with two blocks of 5 against the Sky Blues.
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper: Ederson
He probably could have done better to stop Rooney’s goal but that goal conceded isn’t enough to send him to the bench in favour of Bravo. He’ll continue to start and will redeem himself against Bournemouth.
Right Back: Danilo
The multidimensional Danilo comes into the starting XI in his favoured right back position for the suspended Kyle Walker. Danilo looked deadly bombing down the right flank in his brief cameo against Everton.
Right Centre-Back: Vincent Kompany
He is a guaranteed start against Bournemouth. City’s best defender so far this season which makes him a must if Pep plays a back four.
Left Centre-Back: John Stones
It’s a toss up between Stones and Otamendi in regards to who gets to partner Kompany at the back. I’m going to go with Stones because I believe his technical ability will be needed to break down a stubborn Bournemouth side.
Left Back: Benjamin Mendy
The high-spirited Frenchman will make his City debut against Bournemouth purely out of necessity. Guardiola hinted that he was close to match fitness and this seems like the perfect match to give Mendy a run out of about 60 minutes. He’s desperately needed since Walker is now suspended and Guardiola doesn’t seem to trust Fernandinho in the left back position.
Last Match: February 13, 2017
Central Defensive Midfielder: Yaya Toure
He’s been an unused substitute in the first two matches of the season. His absence has been clear because for all of Fernandinho’s high work rate and defensive cover, he just doesn’t have the ability to hold up the ball, pick out passes, and control the tempo like the City legend. Guardiola is going to want to bombard Bournemouth with nonstop attacks and there is no better field general in the premier league than a determined Yaya Toure.
Left Attacking Midfielder: David Silva
There’s something off about Silva so far this season. And no, it’s not the bald head. His touches and passes haven’t been up to his high standards. He’s also wasted great scoring chances by making poor decisions in the final third. Out of him and De Bruyne, the older Silva seems the most likely to get dropped for Gundogan but I think he’ll start this match since the German’s match fitness is still up in the air. He better get his act together if he wants to stay in the XI.
Right Attacking Midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne
After Walker’s red card against Everton, we saw KDB play as a free-8, left winger, defensive midfielder, and attacking midfielder. He put in a shift with his tireless runs and tracking of opponents. There is no way he gets dropped this weekend.
Left Winger: Raheem Sterling
If Raheem Sterling hasn’t done and shown enough to warrant a start against Bournemouth then Pep Guardiola isn’t who we think he is. Sterling has had the best preseason out of any City player and his appearances off the bench this season have been productive. He is the sole reason City managed to scrape out a draw against the toffees and he surely deserves his place in the starting lineup this weekend.
Right Winger: Bernardo Silva
Bernardo looked a threat when he came on against Everton. His ability to take players on, not lose the ball, and create chances will be needed against a Bournemouth team that will sit deep and hope to catch City on a counter attack or set piece. Bernardo will probably play about 70 minutes before being subbed off for Leroy Sane.
Related Story: Why Leroy Sane Might Struggle This Season
Striker: Gabriel Jesus
We haven’t seen the Gabriel Jesus we saw last season so far. He has been forced to play up top in a pair with Aguero and quite frankly it just hasn’t worked out. I believe Guardiola will axe the Argentine for the Brazilian and play him up top alone where he can work his magic with the wingers to provide some of the magic we saw last season.