Predicted Starting Line-Up: Swansea City vs Manchester City (Carabao Cup Fourth Round) | OneFootball

Manchester City return to action following defeat to Aston Villa as they look to get back to winning ways through a trip to South Wales against Swansea City.

In their last outing, Pep Guardiola’s side wrestled for the majority of the game poorly by all accounts. The attack was lacklustre and predictable, midfield was far too open defensively leaving the back line exposed, and overall, City were outworked by Unai Emery’s men.

The frustrating thing for those of a sky blue persuasion is for the opening 15 minutes prior to conceding, City were by far the better side, pressing exceptionally well and pinning the Villains into their own half. But Manchester City failed to capitalise on their early domination.

From the moment the home side took the lead through a superbly worked set-piece routine and a strike of equal quality from Matty Cash in the 19th minute, City’s game plan fell apart. In many ways, the ball was continually given away far too cheaply, and Villa dominated midfield.

There were glimpses from the Blues; an Erling Haaland chance almost immediately after conceding, a strike from Savinho on the hour cleared off the line by Pau Torres, and a final effort from City’s No.9 with minutes of normal time to play, disallowed due to an offside.

Overall, Aston Villa deserved all three points, and City were far below as their nine-game unbeaten streak came to an abrupt end. Now is certainly not the time to dwell on disappointment, as the Blues turn focus to cup action in an away trip to Championship outfit Swansea City.

In their last fixture against the Welsh side, Guardiola’s City emerged victorious away from home in a 1-3 scoreline four years ago thanks to goals from Kyle Walker, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus, securing passage into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Swansea progressed to the fourth round stage of the ongoing Carabao Cup through an astonishing comeback against Premier League side Nottingham Forest, coming from two goals down to win 3-2 after two strikes in injury time sparked a miracle victory for the Swans.

After a rather deflating defeat for City at the weekend, Pep Guardiola will be hoping to end Swansea’s fairytale and secure an all-important place in the fifth round of the Carabao Cup to not only spark momentum again but also to maintain a hunger for success in a competition that offers the first shot at silverware in the season.

Here’s how we believe Pep Guardiola will line up his Manchester City squad in this week’s visit to the Swansea.com Stadium!

Predicted XI

In goal, James Trafford should return. The Englishman is operating as back-up to Gianluigi Donnarumma and has struggled for minutes since the Italian’s arrival although cup competitions should see the the club’s academy graduate star.

On the right side of defence, Rico Lewis should return in an attempt to rest and rotate the squad, as Matheus Nunes has played 90 minutes consecutively in Manchester City’s last four games. The No.82’s ability to invert and play as part of a double-pivot, as well as his quality on the ball, will no doubt prove useful.

At centre-back, we predict a former treble-winning pairing of Nathan Ake and John Stones to guard Manchester City’s goal. Both have played a combined 527 Premier League minutes so far this campaign and are both still great defenders with a wealth of experience.

Completing defence is one of Manchester City’s most promising young players at present in Nico O’Reilly. The 20-year-old has been top class so far and his performances have shown exactly why he is a key player in the senior team and will certainly be an asset for the future.

In midfield alongside the aforementioned inverting Lewis could be a duo of Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva to occupy the engine room against the Championship side – a perfect combination suited for this kind of game with both having brilliant technical ability and skills to dictate the tempo.

In the 10 role, we think it is finally time for Rayan Cherki to get his second City start since joining the club in the summer. Since returning from injury, the Frenchman has looked a bright spark, proving to be a creative outlet in substitute appearances. Against a possible low block, it might be time for the former Lyon man to fully showcase his skills.

Out wide, a pairing of Oscar Bobb on the right partnered by Jeremy Doku on the left will be an excellent choice of wide men to stretch the play and tire Swansea out in this one, as Alan Sheehan’s side will likely try and remain defensively resolute for as long as possible. The pace and dynamism of these two will be a weapon to utilise for Pep Guardiola.

Finally, leading the line after a lengthy injury absence, we anticipate that Omar Marmoush will be the main man for Pep Guardiola’s side in this one, as Erling Haaland may at last have a well-deserved rest after already playing a staggering 1032 minutes this season.

Starting XI: Trafford; Lewis, Stones, Ake, O’Reilly; Kovacic, Bernardo, Cherki; Bobb, Marmoush, Doku.

Substitutes: Donnarumma, Nunes, Mfuni, Ait-Nouri, Nico, Reijnders, Foden, Mukasa, Savinho.