Pep Guardiola will not risk Erling Haaland when Manchester City round off their Champions League campaign against Sevilla.
Wednesday night’s clash is a dead-rubber for both teams with the hosts already topping
Group G and the visitors to the Etihad Stadium forced to settle for a Europa League campaign in the second half of the season.
That will prompt Guardiola to leave Haaland out of his starting line-up as he continues to recover from the ankle injury that ruled him out of the weekend win at Leicester.
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Guardiola:
“He feels better. Comparing to Saturday, Sunday, Monday, every day feels better.
Still not 100 per cent, we don’t want to take a risk. Hopefully we have him against Fulham.”
An array of rotations can be expected of City with Stefan Ortega prepped to take Ederson’s place in goal.
Sergio Gomez should come in at left-back and Julian Alvarez can hope to keep his place at the top of the attack, potentially joined by Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish.
Runouts for youngsters Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Rico Lewis are on the cards while Cole Palmer is back after sitting out the weekend win due to injury.
Guardiola, however, tempered expectations of youth players featuring against Sevilla.
“Not for this game. When we come back in one month and a half, it depends on Carabao Cup.
It’s important to see them get minutes, to play as good as possible and that’s all.”
Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips remain absent.
Predicted Manchester City XI:
Ortega;
Akanji, Dias, Ake, Gomez;
Silva, Rodri, Gundogan;
Mahrez, Alvarez, Grealish.
