Manchester City vs Huddersfield Town
Date: 19/08/2018
K/O: 13.30pm
Venue: Etihad Stadium
TV: Sky Sports Premier League
Referee: Andre Marriner
Manchester City will look to extend their 100% start to the season as they host Huddersfield Town at the Etihad.
City convincingly dispatched Arsenal at the Emirates a week ago and will be confident of maintaining momentum against a Terriers side beaten 3-0 at home by Chelsea on the opening weekend.
The Yorkshire outfit surprised the Citizens in this fixture last year however, earning a valiant 0-0 draw which proved to be the platform from which they clambered to safety.
David Wagner’s team will be low on confidence however, though he will know there are far easier points to fight for.
City will be without Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian having been ruled out for three months with a knee injury suffered in training on Wednesday, but welcome fellow midfielder David Silva back into the matchday squad after missing the Arsenal game with a knock.
John Stones and Aymeric Laporte were imperious against the Gunners, and are expected to continue in defence. Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy will also retain their places at full-back.
Leroy Sane could replace Riyad Mahrez on the left side of attack, while Sergio Aguero is again expected to play ahead of Gabriel Jesus. Danilo and De Bruyne remain the only first team players on the sidelines.
Huddersfield may bring in fresh faces following their loss to Chelsea last time out. Boss David Wagner must choose whether to stick with a three-man defence or shift to four to match City.
Defender Mathias Jorgensen misses out with a muscle injury, and Wagner could bring in Tommy Smith on the right side of defence. Summer acquisition Isaac Mbenza nears match fitness but is unlikely to start, while Ramadan Sobhi or Juninho Bacuna could replace Jonathan Hogg, who is doubtful.
In attack, Steve Mounie and Laurent Depoitre will vie for the striker’s role, while Adama Diakhaby could make his first start in place of Alex Pritchard in behind.
Predicted Starting XI’s
Manchester City – Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Mendy; Fernandinho, D. Silva, B. Silva; Sterling, Aguero, Sane.
Huddersfield Town – Lossl; Smith, Kongolo, Schindler; Hadergjonaj, Billing, Bacuna, Mooy, Lowe; Pritchard, Mounie.
Predicted Score: Manchester City 4 Huddersfield Town 0
