The Manchester City fans in the Football Transfer Tavern have been delighted with the start that their side has made to the season…
Pep Guardiola has enjoyed quite the start to life in Manchester and, currently, sits atop the Premier League table after four games.
Boasting an undefeated record thus far, a derby day victory against Manchester United is just the latest notch in Guardiola’s impressive career achievements list – and it is beginning to look like it could be a huge year for the Manchester City faithful in the Football Transfer Tavern.
Up next: a Saturday afternoon game against Bournemouth – in a game that City will be expected to win.
Our landlord is backing them for a comfortable victory, but Pep Guardiola will have to ensure that he picks a strong team to deal with the ever-present Bournemouth threat.
With that said, this 4-1-4-1 Man City XI will batter Bournemouth on Saturday…
GK – Claudio Bravo

He has made a shaky start to life in Manchester, but Guardiola will definitely stick with his latest signing.
He has now settled into life at City, and the Citizens in the Football Transfer Tavern will be demanding a better performance.
RB – Bacary Sagna

Now a regular at City, Sagna will continue his role on the right-hand side of the Man City defence.
Strong and always reliable.
CB – John Stones

John Stones has looked excellent under Guardiola so far, and you would expect that to continue.
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He is going from strength to strength and is showing no signs of his poor form of last season.
CB – Nicolas Otamendi

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John Stones’ central defensive partner Nicolas Otamendi has also seen an improvement in form under Guardiola, and that will likely continue again.
He won’t get tested too much against Bournemouth, but must be alert on the counter attack.
LB – Aleksander Kolarov

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The ever consistent Aleksander Kolarov will continue at left back.
He has become a constant fixture under Guardiola.
DM – Fernandinho

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Fernandinho has been on an outstanding run of form in recent weeks, and that will continue against Bournemouth.
Like much of this side, his form has increased ten-fold under Guardiola. He makes Man City tick.
He makes Man City tick.
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LM – Nolito

He dropped out for the mid-week fixture, but you would expect Nolito to come back into the Man City first team this weekend.
Nolito has made a good, if not spectacular, start to life in Manchester.
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AM – David Silva/Ilkay Gundogan

David Silva missed out with a minor niggle in mid-week, but if fit he will likely come straight back into the team.
Gundogan on-the-other-hand had a stellar first Man City game in his place, so will be a more than capable replacement if the Spaniard still isn’t fit.
Guardiola will have difficulty picking between these two.
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AM – Kevin De Bruyne

This man has been in remarkable form all season, and is the first name on the team sheet.
Incredible goals, assists and work ethic – he is the most important player in this team.
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RM – Raheem Sterling

Sterling has had a new lease on life under Guardiola, and he is starting to repay the transfer fee that the club paid for last year.
Explosive, dynamic wing play – the perfect winger.
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FWD – Kelechi Iheanacho

With Aguero still out with a suspension, you would expect Iheanacho to get another run out this weekend.
His goalscoring record is absolutely remarkable, and you would be hard pressed to find a punter in the Tavern who won’t be backing him to score once again.
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