Barcelona v Manchester City: Predicted Line-up

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Josep 'Pep' Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James Park on August 21, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Josep 'Pep' Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James Park on August 21, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 21: Sergio Gomez of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James Park on August 21, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 21: Sergio Gomez of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James Park on August 21, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

Stefan Ortega

The backup goalkeeper will be given 90 minutes and it will be a chance to see the German keep out Robert Lewandowski and co. Known more for his agility and shot-stopping ability, the ‘keeper will be looking forward to the minutes ready for his likely Carabao Cup stint.

Rico Lewis

The youngster is an understudy to Kyle Walker and made his Premier League debut once the game was wrapped up against Bournemouth. The 17-year-old is a promising right-back and he will likely feature for the majority of 90 minutes with Walker or Joao Cancelo deputising.

John Stones

The English defender only started the recent game against Newcastle so this is his chance to get some minutes under his belt, although he is unlikely to play the full game. He and Dias are the only senior centre-backs available after Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte are out with injuries, so protection is a priority.

Luke Mbete

He has been a regular fixture in the Blues’ matchday squads so far this term with Pep declaring he will be part of the trio of academy players to train with the first-team throughout the season. An opportunity for a full 90 or potentially replaced by Finley Burns, to give Ruben Dias enough time to get over a niggle he sustained against Bournemouth.

Sergio Gomez

City now have options at left-back without considering the first choice, Joao Cancelo, with the new arrival likely to get the nod due to his seniority. More minutes under his belt will be shared with Josh Wilson-Esbrand.