Man City XI vs Chelsea: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for FA Cup final today | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola still sweating on Rodri’s availability ahead of Wembley clash

The Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder has been in and out of the side this season thanks to a rash of injuries, and has once again been sidelined of late with a groin issue.

He was pictured in training ahead of much-changed City’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday night but did not make the matchday squad, and Pep Guardiola remains unsure whether he will be fit to feature at Wembley.

“We’ll see,” Guardiola responded curtly to reporters on Friday when asked about Rodri’s availability.

Should he remain out of contention this afternoon, then Nico Gonzalez could line up alongside captain Bernardo Silva in midfield, with Guardiola confirming that the former is not injured after being left out completely against Palace.

Left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri started in midfield for the first time for City in midweek with Nico O’Reilly also absent but seemingly not injured, but that will surely not be the case again in the final.

There was some good news against Palace as Josko Gvardiol made a surprise first appearance since January and started having recovered from a broken leg as he managed almost an hour, but another start here seems unlikely in such quick succession.

Injury doubt: It remains to be seen if Rodri will be fit enough to play for Manchester City in the FA Cup final

PA

O’Reilly should be back at left-back if indeed he is fully fit, unless Guardiola instead prefers to utilise the Carabao Cup final hero in midfield - as he has done plenty already this season.

That should be the only change in defence after Abdukodir Khusanov returned from a knock to partner Marc Guehi at centre-back against Palace, though Ruben Dias could be in with a chance of starting after returning to the squad following a thigh injury.

Guardiola rotated heavily against Palace, making six changes from the 3-0 win over Brentford amid a hectic fixture list and naming the likes of Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki on the bench.

Doku was introduced as a substitute on the hour, with Cherki also coming on late and providing an assist for Savinho’s goal, but Haaland played no part at all.

All three will be fresh for Wembley and can be expected to come back into the starting lineup as Guardiola is sure to name his strongest attack possible against Chelsea’s less-than-watertight defence.

Gianluigi Donnarumma is in fine form, but deputy James Trafford has been preferred in cup competitions this season and can expect to start in goal after impressing in the last two rounds and producing a formidable performance in the Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal.

Predicted Man City XI (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Bernardo, Nico; Doku, Cherki, Semenyo; Haaland

Doubt: Rodri