How will Manchester City line up against Huddersfield?

1 of 2

Manchester City return to Etihad Stadium to play their first home match of the new season against Huddersfield.

The Sky Blues eased past Arsenal with stars Leroy Sane, David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne all omitted from the starting eleven.

Pep Guardiola now has his full squad at his disposal, apart from the injured de Bruyne, with prolonged World Cup holidays well and truly over. However, perhaps the Catalan is tempted to opt for the same lineup.

Here is how I think the City boss will shape his team up as the Sky Blues hunt for a second win in as many games.

Goalkeeper – Ederson

Ederson made a couple of decent saves against the Gunners but didn’t have too much to do. The Brazilian is finding his sharpness in terms of distribution, having been demoted to the sidelines in Brazil’s World Cup campaign.

With Joe Hart out on loan and Willy Caballero joining Chelsea, Ederson is Manchester City’s only esteemed goalkeeper and, unless he picks up an injury, he should start all of City’s Premier League and Champions League matches.

Claudio Bravo is likely to come in for domestic cups, however don’t anticipate the Chilean to get anywhere near the starting lineup against Huddersfield.

Left full back – Benjamin Mendy

Rejuvenating full back Benjamin Mendy scorched into action last weekend, clocking up two assists as he looks to forge some regularity in the team after his unfortunate injury kept him out for the majority of last term.

The Frenchman linked up with Raheem Sterling superbly one more than one occasion, and that is a relationship that should develop as the season goes on, should Guardiola choose to start them both.

Game time early on in the campaign is the most important thing for Benjamin Mendy at the moment. He played less than four matches last season and needs to find his feet to rediscover the spark which initially attracted Guardiola to prise him from Monaco.

Expect another start for Mendy, who could terrorise the Huddersfield rearguard if he gets the chance.

Right full back – Kyle Walker

Another no-brainer for Pep Guardiola. Kyle Walker is straight back into his stride after a consistent World Cup, and looked at home in the Manchester City team against Arsenal yet again.

More from Man City Square

£50 million is beginning to look like value for money as the England international improves, and hopefully we see a more optimistic performance versus Huddersfield. Walker focused on his defensive duties against Arsenal, allowing Mendy to roam forward more often, however his raw pace is always an outlet Manchester City must utilise.

Centre half – Aymeric Laporte

Young Frenchman Aymeric Laporte was given the nod over Nicolas Otamendi last weekend, and after keeping a clean sheet there is no reason why Pep Guardiola should shuffle things around at the back.

Laporte was more of a fringe player last term with Vincent Kompany, Otamendi and John Stones preferred by Guardiola, however he seems to have more of a significant role here.

Kompany’s injuries seem to have plagued his career, it is difficult for him to fit into this lineup at the moment.

Centre half – John Stones

John Stones looks to be one of Manchester City’s fastest progressing players, and this seems to be the season where he will become essential for Pep Guardiola.

Another man whose ostensibly extortionate transfer fee is slowly being transformed to an impressive investment, Stones’ World Cup experience could prove invaluable as he aims to become a starlet for City this term.

His partnership with Aymeric Laporte in the Sky Blues’ opener was near-flawless, and he shouldn’t have half the amount of work to do against a Huddersfield side likely to turn their attentions to defensive duties at the Etihad.