The new Premier League season kicks off on Saturday for Manchester City with a trip to West Ham United.
The combine harvesters have only just started harvesting the corn and yet here we are with a new season of the Premier League upon us. Quite what it will bring is anyone’s guess but Manchester City will simply be hoping for more of the same.
West Ham will be an interesting proposition for Pep Guardiola and his side. Something of an unknown quality given their recent additions which will probably require some quick thinking by our coach to adjust our game play to achieve a result.
Facing an away trip to what may be the best side West Ham have ever fielded in the Premier League is a tricky task. To think otherwise would be foolish.
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City must simply put their best foot forward and play to their own strengths, which should be enough to overcome even the most stubborn opposition. Application and endeavour will be the key to this game.
Getting a quick start will be important at this stage of the season. If we can start at our usual high pace then the chances of securing a comfortable result are much improved.
There are relatively few injury concerns. Laporte has returned to training but whether he is fit enough to be thrust into the action is not clear. Cancelo has been announced at the club but will this be his debut from the start? I doubt it.
Despite his heroics in goal at the Community Shield, Bravo is likely to make way for the returning Ederson. It will be interesting to see him given changes to the goal kick rules.
In defence I expect Walker to start at right back and Zinchenko at left back. Central defence will be a partnership between Stones and Laporte with Otamendi dropping to the bench. Pep will be minded to avoid exposing Otamendi to some of the pace in the West Ham side.
Rodri will anchor the midfield with De Bruyne and David Silva making up the central three. A familiar looking front line will start with Sterling, Aguero and Bernardo looking to resume where they left off last season.
City will most likely set up nationally as a 4-3-3 but will change in different phases of the game. We may get to see both inverted fullback and three at the back, especially if City move into a lead.
Here’s hoping we can translate our superiority into a first win and start our title defence strongly.
Predicted Starting XI
Ederson
Walker, Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko
Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne
Sterling, Aguero, Bernardo