Man City predicted lineup vs Salford - FA Cup | OneFootball

Manchester City's peripheral figures should be handed the opportunity to impress on Saturday when the Cityzens host Salford City in the FA Cup third round.

Pep Guardiola is likely to ring the changes at the Etihad Stadium, offering academy prospects and fringe players the chance to stake their claim. With a busy month ahead that includes seven fixtures in three different competitions, City can ill-afford to risk their best and brightest against League Two opposition.

Having reached the final during the past two seasons, including a bitter defeat to local rivals Manchester United last May, here is how City could line up for their first FA Cup encounter of 2024/25.

James McAtee has impressed Pep Guardiola recently / Carl Recine/GettyImages

GK: Stefan Ortega - Ederson is nearing a return to action having been missing since the Manchester derby in mid-December. However, Ortega should retain his starting berth on Saturday, or perhaps Scott Carson will make his second club appearance since joining in 2019.

CB: Kyle Walker - Walker has fallen out of favour following a string of questionable performances but the speedy Englishman could be utilised as an auxiliary centre-half.

CB: Jahmai Simpson-Pusey - The 19-year-old has already managed five appearances fo City's senior side and could grab a sixth against Salford.

CB: Josko Gvardiol - Gvardiol has been streets below his best this season. Continual errors and gaffes have proven costly for the Cityzens but he's being forced to play through poor form due to defensive injuries.

DM: Nico O'Reilly - O'Reilly has been a regular on City's bench this term and has made a handful of appearances in cup competitions. The 19-year-old has shown impressive composure in the engine room when called upon.

DM: Ilkay Gundogan - With Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic being Guardiola's preferred defensive midfield partnership in Rodri's absence, Gundogan is likely to act as leader in a much-changed and youthful side.

RM: Jeremy Doku - City's roadrunner has been outshone by Savinho in recent weeks but Saturday should provide him with some minutes at the very least.

CM: James McAtee - Guardiola has spoken highly of McAtee since his impressive recent cameos and has declared his intention to provide the young midfielder with greater opportunities. Saturday is the perfect chance to make good on his promise.

CM: Matheus Nunes - The Portuguese had enjoyed a run of outings during City's rotten end to 2024 but injury has limited his involvement over the past few weeks. After returning to the bench against West Ham United last time out, he could be promoted to the starting XI.

LM: Jack Grealish - Grealish's City career is in danger of petering out and even a dazzling performance against Salford won't change that. However, it could provide the perfect confidence boost for the England winger.

ST: Erling Haaland - With no back-up to Haaland in their squad, City may be forced to start their Norwegian cyborg on Saturday. Still, he'll probably relish the opportunity of goals, goals, goals.