How Man City could line up in Champions League clash vs Bodo/Glimt (4-1-4-1) | OneFootball

Manchester City are looking to consolidate their place in the Champions League top eight when they take on Bodo/Glimt in Norway later tonight.

Pep Guardiola’s side have struggled to hit their stride since the turn of the new year. The Cityzens have claimed just two wins from their opening six games of 2026 (D3, L1).

Three consecutive Premier League draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion marked the start of an underwhelming run of form.

City seem to have recaptured their mojo after obliterating League One side Exeter City 10-1 in the FA Cup third round and following that up with a 2-0 win over Newcastle United in the League Cup.

However, they were dealt a brutal reality check when they suffered a 2-0 defeat against fierce rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on their return to Premier League duties.

Guardiola will hope a break from domestic duties offers his side some reprieve, with City going into the Champions League contest as heavy favourites.

They have fared better on the continental stage, winning four of their six League Phase games (D1, L1).

Another victory will take them one step closer to securing a top-eight finish.

However, another defeat would be catastrophic, with just one point separating them from ninth-placed Liverpool, while 15th-placed Barcelona are just three points behind.

How Man City could line up

Despite the calibre of opponent they’re facing, the stakes are still high for City.

They will have to navigate a difficult situation with several players set to miss the Champions League outing for several reasons, including injury.

Guardiola could turn to the academy for reinforcements, but a few first-team stars should retain their places in the XI.

Gianluigi Donnarumma should start in goal ahead of wantaway James Trafford.

Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne should continue their newfound partnership in defence alongside Rico Lewis and Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Tijjani Reijnders could be tasked with anchoring the midfield while Divine Mukasa makes his Champions League debut in attack alongside Nico O’Reilly, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku.

Erling Braut Haaland will lead the line.