Manchester City sent out a statement to their Premier League title rivals about their intentions this season with a confident 0-2 opening weekend victory against West Ham last time out.
Despite not getting out of first gear against David Moyes’ side, Manchester City cruised to a win away from home, courtesy of a blockbuster Erling Haaland brace.
However, another potential banana skin presents itself in the form of facing a newly-promoted Bournemouth side on Saturday afternoon.
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Scott Parker’s side will be brimming with self-belief after securing all three points against Aston Villa on the opening weekend last time out.
With one expecting another fantastic clash at the Etihad Stadium, here is how we expect the Premier League champions to line up!
Predicted Team
Ederson is expected to start in net off the back of keeping a clean sheet at the London Stadium.
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After Pep Guardiola described Kyle Walker’s display against West Ham as one of his finest in the entirety of his five-year spell at Manchester City, it is next to impossible to imagine the England international not being one of the first names on the team sheet against Bournemouth.
Ruben Dias was a colossus at the back against David Moyes’ side and is likely to start proceedings once again on Saturday afternoon.
Nathan Ake is also expected to be rewarded with a third successive start in a competitive fixture, after putting in a commanding shift against the Hammers.
Joao Cancelo shined in a makeshift midfield three for the majority of the contest last weekend, and is a safe bet to be picked once again up against the Cherries as the club continue their pursuit for a senior first-team left-back in the transfer window.
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The ever-reliable Rodri shone in the Sky Blues’ Premier League opener and will keep his place in the side.
Considering Ilkay Gundogan’s masterful showing as an advanced eight against West Ham, there is no reason why he should be dropped to the bench in the upcoming fixture.
Kevin De Bruyne’s impeccable assist for Erling Haaland’s second goal last time out was enough to guarantee his place in the side against Scott Parker’s side - in case it was in any doubt anyway.
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With Phil Foden showcasing encouraging signs as a right winger, Pep Guardiola may well test the ‘Stockport Iniesta’ in the same role for another game to assess how he performs.
After Erling Haaland’s brilliant brace on his Premier League debut, it is a no-brainer that he starts against Bournemouth.
Similarly, to Phil Foden, Jack Grealish was involved at all times, which indicates that the Catalan boss may wait to make major changes for another game.
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Starting XI: Ederson; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Joao Cancelo; Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne; Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish.
Substitutes: Stefan Ortega Moreno, Scott Carson, Rico Lewis, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez, Liam Delap.
Topics: Manchester City, Bournemouth, Premier League, Football
Srinivas Sadhanand