Oxford v Manchester City: Which City Players Will Start?
By David Crook
Manchester City have the luxury of what appears to be an easy draw in the Quarter Final of the Carabao Cup as they face Oxford United on Wednesday evening.
In order to capitalise on the relative luxury of a draw against Oxford United, Manchester City have to make their superiority count. There is no room for a half hearted performance, or a display which is not committed.
Quite simply, City must play like they do against the best opppsition because this game could become a banana skin, an easy chance to slip up. We have a rich history of failing to take control of similar moments – Wigan in the FA Cup Final for instance – and cannot let this game become another taunt for rival fans to make.
One of the many factors which make this game more worrisome is that Pep Guardiola is likely not just to rotate his side, but to make wholesale changes. Much will depend upon the attitude of the senior City players on show as they will be needed to keep the likely younsgters calm and controlled.
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Guardiola will be mindful of the threat posed by Oxford and we can therefore expect some respect to be shown to the opposition.
Claudio Bravo will start in goal, in front of a back four which will be built around the central defensive pairing of Nicolas Otamendi and Eric Garcia. Joao Cancelo will start at right back and there is an unusual surfeit of riches at left back with all of Benjamin Mendy, Angelino and Oleks Zinchenko all available. I expect Angelino to start and Zinchenko to feature in midfield.
Defensive midfield presents another dilemma, as to whether Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan or even a youngster such as Bernabe is preferred. I think Gundogan is most likely to start alongside Phil Foden and Zinchenko.
The attack has to be built around Gabriel Jesus so we may see Riyad Mahrez on show, possibly with Ian Poveda. If Pep.is feeling cautious then he may give a run out to Bernardo in the hope he can sustain a run of form.
A victory will set us up for a semi final against what is likely to be Premier League opppsition and the chance to secure the trophy for a third successive season.
Champions League Draw. dark. Next
Predicted Starting XI
Ederson
Cancelo, Otamendi, Garcia, Angelino
Gundogan, Foden, Zinchenko
Mahrez, Jesus, Poveda