Manchester City are back to winning ways and my word, aren’t the City fans here in the Transfer Tavern relieved about it!
The Citizens are back at the summit of the Premier League after a patchy few weeks and thanks to a 4-0 away win at West Brom, things are looking bright in Manchester once again.
Pep Guardiola also has a tough run in the Champions League on the horizon but attention will very much turn back to league matters this weekend, when his side take on Middlesbrough.
The Reds will be buoyed after a hearty 2-0 win at Bournemouth on Saturday and they really shouldn’t be taken lightly in the slightest.
So with that in mind, how should Pep line up his troops for the game against Boro?
Here’s our City starting XI that we think will annihilate Aitor Karanka’s men this weekend…
GK: Claudio Bravo
Claudio Bravo is Manchester City’s number one and unfortunately for Caballero and the already ousted Joe Hart, that isn’t about to change any time soon.
RB: Fernando
Brazilian midfielder Fernando slotted in very nicely for the game against West Brom last weekend and we’re expecting him to continue holding down the fort against Boro.
His reading of the game is fantastic and he’s a strong option on that right-hand side, even if he is out of position.
CB: John Stones
John Stones will very much be Pep Guardiola’s number one defender going forward and he’s a player we expect to fully take to the Spaniard’s philosophy.
These are also exciting times for England supporters too – who will be tracking the youngster’s progress with a very keen eye indeed.
CB: Vincent Kompany
The Belgian has been in and out of the first-team due to niggling injuries this season, but if he’s back fit, he’ll start the game against Boro.
He’ll have quite the task on his hands too, keeping former City flame Alvaro Negredo quiet will be quite the job and one he will relish.
LB: Aleksandar Kolarov
Serbian international Aleksandar Kolarov has picked up his game in recent weeks and looks much more assured than he did a couple of weeks back.
There were some serious doubts being cast over his Manchester City future but against West Brom, he was largely untroubled.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan
An exemplary display against the Baggies will be a much-needed boost for summer signing Ilkay Gundogan, who missed some of the first-half of the season through injury.
He bagged two against Tony Pulis’ men and will fancy his chances for a couple more against Boro.
CM: Fernandinho
A really safe and secure option to have infront of the defence, Fernandinho is a player who really radiates quality.
The Brazilian is quite happy to marshal his defence to safety but when needs be, he doesn’t hesitate in going forward either.
RW: Raheem Sterling
His Euro 2016 disappointment now seems behind him and Raheem Sterling is looking extremely strong indeed under new manager Pep Guardiola.
We know his game is centred on his pace and ability to get at defenders, and if he plays well against Boro, it could be a long afternoon for Karanka and his players.
CAM: Kevin De Bruyne
We’re finally seeing the very best from Kevin De Bruyne and he’s a seriously exciting prospect going forward for City.
The Belgian has skill, reads the game with ease and is great at moving the play forward.
Again, like Sterling, if he is playing well against Boro, it might not make for the easiest of afternoons for the Teesiders.
LW: Nolito
Feisty forward Nolito has hit the ground running in Manchester and he’s provided something that little bit different on the City wing this season.
He’s not brimming with pace like Sterling perhaps, but his qualities lie in his ability to beat players and create chances for his fellow forwards.
ST: Sergio Aguero
He’s back and don’t we all know it after his two goals against West Brom.
He gave a well-deserved man-of-the-match performance which really saw him emphasise just why he is so important in this City set-up.
