Manchester City have an immediate opportunity to bounce back from their Champions League defeat to PSG when they host Ipswich Town in the Premier League this afternoon. Enzo Maresca's side were thoroughly outplayed in the first half against PSG on Wednesday night, but finished on a high and will now look to continue their 100 per cent start to the Premier League campaign.
Defence likely to stay unchanged
Ruben Dias was substituted at half time against PSG but this was merely tactical, rather than enforced. City looked better with Abdukodir Khusanov in the centre with Marc Guehi, and Matheus Nunes at right-back. Enzo Maresca could stick with the defence that ended the midweek clash, particularly after Josko Gvardiol impressed at left-back and the Blues boss spoke of the need to rest players including his captain.
Midfield and attack decisions
In midfield, Ayyoub Bouaddi showed why City paid so much for his services. He strengthened the centre and did not give PSG a sniff in that second half. However, Ipswich are not the Champions League holders and Maresca could stick with the Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson double pivot that has served him so well.
Rayan Cherki was the one who made way on Wednesday to introduce Bouaddi, but this is a game that could suit him more. We can expect City to get plenty of time on the ball to try and unpick the Ipswich defence. Cherki's form this season means he deserves another shot from the beginning.
Antoine Semenyo admitted post-match that he was beating himself up for the chances he missed against PSG. The forward is his own worst critic and maybe an afternoon on the bench could serve him well. In place of him, Iliman Ndiaye could be given a start. He injected some energy into the team on Wednesday night and that will have impressed Maresca. Jeremy Doku can remain on the left.
Haaland expected to start
Maresca suggested that Erling Haaland would need a rest at some point, but that situation was not unique to the Norwegian. It feels as though he starts today.
Manchester City's predicted line-up vs Ipswich Town in the Premier League: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Gvardiol; Fernandez, Anderson; Ndiaye, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.
