In the aftermath of that 6-1 thumping of Bournemouth in which Raheem Sterling scored his first hat-trick for Manchester City, the Premier League leaders will be coming into this fixture on a high note. Looking at the form of Sevilla and their position in LA Liga, Manchester City would hope that they could evade Sevilla for 2nd place in the group.
Here is the strongest Manchester City lineup to face Sevilla …
- Joe Hart
While Manchester City opened their account in this Season’s Champions League with a 2-1 win in Germany, Joe Hart kept them in that game before Aguero leveled home the winner in injury time. Thus, on top of his game as well as arguably the best goal-keeper in England, Joe Hart would protect the goal for the Citizens once again.
2. Bacary Sagna
After the return of Pablo Zabaleta earlier this month from injury, it seemed that Sagna would be sent back to the Manchester City bench. However, with Kolarov following the likes of Sergio Aguero and David Silva to the injury list of City, Sagna would most likely start the match for the Citizens on Wednesday.
3. Vincent Kompany
If there was one reason on why Kompany was left out of the starting XI at the weekend, it hasn’t come out till yet. But with his experience in big games as well as his stature for Manchester City being prominent, Kompany will replace Mangala in the Manchester United starting XI.
4. Nicolas Otamendi
If Manuel Pellegrini wants to have an insight regarding the structure of their opposition on Wednesday, there’s no one better than the Argentine Otamendi on this matter. Having spent a whole Season in Spain last Season, Otamendi would most probably know the ins and outs of Sevilla.
5. Pablo Zabaleta
If there was any doubt regarding the fitness of Zabaleta, the right back shunned it away with a powerful performance against Bournemouth at the weekend. The likes of Raheem Sterling and Wilfred Bony stole the show for Manchester, however, Zabaleta was equally effective in the Manchester City defense that day.
6. Fernandinho
Talking about players who never get the credit that they deserve, Fernandinho is surely one of them. While he is not as spectacular as his midfield partner Yaya Toure, the Brazilian midfielder is equally important for the Citizens if they are to lift the Premier League trophy next May.
7. Yaya Toure
As epitomized by his interview to British Newspapers earlier this week, Yaya Toure is unhappy. Thus, it is more than likely that the Ivorian will leave Manchester City at the end of this Season. However, he would be a little bit happier if he goes off after a solid Season in Europe with the English side.
8. Kevin De Bryune
Settling into your new club is one thing, taking the entire league by storm takes stature of a player to another level, and thankfully for the Manchester City fans, Kevin De Bryune has done just that since coming on in the summer.
Having scored 4 goals in his last 7 games for the Citizens, it is safe to say that the Belgian playmaker has all the traits to be nominated as the signing of the Season in the Premier League.
9. Raheem Sterling
While Manuel Pellegrini experimented against Bournemouth at the weekend by playing Sterling in the center, it was an experiment that vindicated itself just after 45 minutes on the clock. By having 4 goals under his belt with 2nd half still to play, Sterling would have allowed his manager a huge sigh of relief.
10. Jesus Navas
Not a player who is on the good book of many Manchester City fans, injury to the likes of David Silva and Samir Nasri means that Navas would most likely start against Sevilla.
11. Wilfred Bony
Though he has waited a long time to get going in Manchester City colors, the absence of Sergio Aguero for extended time-period means the Ivorian has another chance to impress his employers.
