Predicted Starting Line-Up: Manchester City vs Galatasaray (UEFA Champions League) | OneFootball

Manchester City return to continental action on Wednesday in the final fixture of the UEFA Champions League league phase as they face Galatasaray at the Etihad Stadium.

In what was a rather miserable week for City ended on a high as the Blues returned to winning ways against Wolves on Saturday, defeating Rob Edwards’ side 2-0 thanks to strikes from Omar Marmoush and January recruit, Antoine Semenyo.

2026 has not gone particularly as planned for Pep Guardiola and his players, with just three wins from a possible eight across competitions. However, victory over Wolves should boost morale significantly, as it enabled City to make up precious ground in the title race, closing the gap to four points due to Arsenal’s 2-3 defeat to Manchester United.

Now, all eyes turn to Europe as the final match week of the Champions League League Phase commences with City’s tie being of huge importance. The Citizens find themselves in a rather precarious position after seven matches, obtaining 13 points from a possible 21, with seven other sides in the competition being on the same tally.

City will be desperate to avoid adding a further two fixtures to their relentless schedule through automatic participation in the UEFA Champions League last-16. However, even if the Blues were to win, their aspirations of a top-eight finish are also dependent on other results.

In regard to availability, Matheus Nunes made a welcome return against Wolves on Saturday and will no doubt be a pivotal fixture in this City side. Bernardo Silva is also back available for Pep Guardiola after serving his one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Nico is expected to be in contention subject to a late fitness assessment, whilst Mateo Kovacic, Josko Gvardiol, Savinho, John Stones, and Ruben Dias are all unavailable due to respective recovery processes from injury.

The situation regarding Oscar Bobb is one of ongoing speculation, as he has not featured since December due to a hamstring issue, and is reportedly keen to move away from the Etihad Stadium for minutes, with Fulham in negotiations.

January reinforcements Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi are not at the disposal of Guardiola, as neither are registered for the competition until the knockout stages. Rodri is also a huge miss for the Blues, as he is suspended following a red card against Bodo/Glimt.

Given all of that context, here is how we believe Pep Guardiola will prepare Manchester City for their huge tie against Galatasaray on Wednesday night!

Predicted XI

Between the sticks, who else but the imperious Gianluigi Donnarumma?  The Italian has been one of Manchester City’s most influential players this season, with his goalkeeping heroics proving instrumental time and time again.

At right-back, a player who was sorely missed during his absence, Matheus Nunes is to retain his spot having improved drastically this term and become pivotal in how City operates, proven by the contrast between defeat to Manchester United and victory against Wolves.

In central defence, we predict a pairing of Abdukodir Khusanov and Nathan Ake due to City’s extensive list of absentees in the position. The pace and power of the Uzbekistan international combined with the experience of Ake may be needed in a must-win game.

Completing the back four, one of Manchester City’s most consistent and impressive players this campaign in Nico O’Reilly, who should retain his place. His reliability and competence in both boxes suggest the Englishman should get the nod from his manager yet again.

In the engine room, given Rodri’s absence and Nico’s fitness uncertainty, we believe Tijjani Reijnders and Bernardo Silva should occupy the double-pivot roles, as both offer different skillsets in the middle of the park.

The Portuguese remains exceptional at reading the game and dictating play, whilst the Dutchman offers impact in the final third with his superb passing range and effective box-crashing runs.

Operating just in front, Phil Foden should occupy the No.10 role. The 25-year-old has struggled to make an impact of late but is a player who always seems to thrive in significant games, and so a “must-win” contest against the Turkish Super Lig giants may be the perfect time for him to reignite form.

Off the right, Manchester City’s leading assist provider in Rayan Cherki should make his third consecutive start, as the Frenchman will once again aim to be the creative outlet for the Sky Blues and utilise his attacking prowess.

Leading the line, and despite his barren run in front of goal at present, the sheer quality of Erling Haaland is undeniable, and with the significance of this final league phase clash, it feels almost necessary to start someone of the Norwegian’s calibre.

His physicality occupies defences whilst his finishing is lethal when on form, so Pep Guardiola will be desperate for the Norway international to resume normal service and find the back of the net against the Turkish club.

Finally, out on the left wing, the ever-electric and impeccably dynamic Jeremy Doku is predicted to complete the front line, as the pace and close control of the Belgian remains a threat and certainly one City will look to utilise as much as possible.

Starting XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Ake; Reijnders, Bernardo (C), Foden; Cherki, Haaland, Doku.

Substitutes: Trafford, Lewis, Alleyne, Mfuni, Ait-Nouri, Nico, Gray, Mukasa, R. Heskey, Marmoush.