Manchester City Predicted Welsh Lineup

The good thing about playing football is that you don't have to wait too long for another game. When you have a poor performance, like Manchester City did on Wednesday, you don't have to wait to long to rectify the situation.

I was pretty harsh on the players after the defeat by Lyon at the Etihad, and rightly so. Now it's a whole different competition and a chance to keep pace with the front runners, Liverpool and a chance to leap frog Chelsea. So how should Pep lineup for the trip to the Cardiff City Stadium?

Ederson:

I think you still have to go with Ederson for this game. Yes Bravo is injured, and Muric doesn't really have the experience, but I think Ederson is still a must start. There wasn't much he could do about the first goal on Wednesday but his distribution was disappointing. He'll certainly be looking for an improved performance later today.

Walker:

Again, we didn't see the greatest performance from the Englishman on Wednesday. He rarely got forward, and when he did he wasn't really a threat. I would expect to see him super charged from the first whistle in Wales.

Kompany:

It's not a case of not trusting one of the younger two central defenders, but I think we need some older and wiser heads at the back today. A Captain who can galvanize the side and shout when a shout is needed.

Stones:

Aymeric Laporte could just as easily get the nod to start alongside Vincent Kompany but I will go with Stones.

Delph:

Fabian Delph had a poor moment in the last game which cost City the opening goal. Maybe Pep will rotate and have Zinchenko start at left back. For me though the Ukrainian doesn't do the defensive part of the game well enough for me. Pep will allow Delph a chance to redeem himself in Wales.

Fernandino:

A similar situation to the left back position. Fernandinho didn't have the greatest game in Wednesday, but neither did the guys who would replace him. Delph, if starting, will start at left back while Gundogan was one of the poorest performers from the European fixture.

Bernardo:

Loved this guy this season, and he's just begging to be played more centrally. Neil Warnock will have his side well drilled and so we need some quick feet and control in tight spaces. Bernardo can do this and I think he should start.

Silva:

Two Silva's in the midfield controlling the balls into the front line. For David it is simply a case of getting his touch right once more. Unusually for him on Wednesday balls were all over the place. Too heavy and too sloppy from a player we've seen so much better from.

Sane:

Came on for Gundogan with ten minutes gone in the second half. Instantly he had an impact with his pace and desire to run at the defenders. We will need similar from the start in this game, stretching the defensive line as wide as he can.

Mahrez:

Riyad Mahrez will start today in place of Raheem Sterling and will score. The Algerian has shown signs of his ability in Manchester City colors, but nothing consistent. A goal here will boost his confidence, and you have to expect one to come sooner rather than later.

Aguero:

I have a weird feeling that Aguero might start on the bench with Sterling on in a false nine position. However I do not have the absolute confidence to put that into my lineup, and so Aguero starts. Coming off the bench midway through the second half he should be raring to go.