How will City line up against Cardiff City?

Manchester City will be coming off their European disappointment in the midweek and will be hoping to get back on track.

So, beware Cardiff City and Neil Warnock. A wounded animal is coming to Wales.

Pep Guardiola will return on the touchline following his European suspension and will be dictating the play from the sidelines at the Cardiff City Stadium. But who will he choose?

The Spanish manager has kept us guessing on certain positions this season as fans and pundits have probably yet to achieve a 100 percent record of correctly predicting the starting XI.

There are regular starters but he keeps us guessing with a number of surprises. Following the defeat, I think it is time to chose our best available team.

Kevin de Bruyne is a month or two away, while there have been questions marks over Benjamin Mendy’s inclusion due to injury.

So, the selection for the likes of Ederson, David Silva, Kyle Walker and Fernandinho is in no doubt for the game.

Joining the defence I predict John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi will be the centre-back pairing with the Fabian Delph deputising for the French World Cup winner.

Cardiff’s physical play, seen in the FA Cup last year, will give Otamendi the nod to be selected for his physical and strength attributes. The Argentine ’s inclusion will see Aymeric Laporte drop to bench although he could be selected in the left back position; unlikely though as he looked uncomfortable when featuring in that position at the beginning of his Manchester City career.

Fernandinho will provide the protection for David Silva and who? Bernardo Silva has been playing centrally this season and his performances have warranted him to remain selected in the starting XI, however many fans are calling for Phil Foden to get his chance.

The English youngster does deserve a chance, however coming off a defeat, Pep will be a brave man to put the 19-year-old into a physical game and their game of the season.

So Bernardo keeps his place with Foden and Ilkay Gundogan on the bench.

The most important positions for our attacking play is the wingers and surely you need to choose your best two. They are Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane, both providing pace and the threat of cutting inside likely to prove too much for Cardiff’s defence.

They will supply Sergio Aguero after his return to the pitch on Wednesday confirmed that the injury picked up against Fulham wasn’t serious.

Let’s hope we can return to winning ways at the weekend and have the performance similar to the one enjoyed against the ‘bottom six teams’ last season.

Our predicted line-up:

Ederson, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi, Fabian Delph, Fernandinho, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero.