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How Manchester City could line up against Port Vale

Ahead of the FA Cup tie between Manchester City and Port Vale on Saturday, Sports Mole looks at how the Premier League side could line up at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City begin the defence of their FA Cup crown with a third-round fixture against Port Vale on Saturday evening.

City's struggles in the Premier League this season may lead to Pep Guardiola placing extra priority on winning this competition for a second year in succession.

However, ahead of the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final with Manchester United, the Spaniard will make alterations for the game against opposition from League Two.

Here, Sports Mole predicts how City may line up for the clash at the Etihad Stadium.



MNCXI VS. PTV

Out: Leroy Sane (knee), Aymeric Laporte (knee)
Doubtful: John Stones (thigh), Ederson (illness), Nicolas Otamendi (undisclosed)

> Click here for Man City's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Having remained as an used substitute against Everton on New Year's Day, Sergio Aguero is expected to start on Saturday, potentially alongside Raheem Sterling who only came on as a late replacement.

Kyle Walker was also rested versus the Toffees, and that may lead to the Englishman being the experienced head in a backline which includes Eric Garcia, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Angelino.

While John Stones is nearing a return from a thigh injury, the centre-back may only be selected on the bench should he be deemed fit enough for selection.

The midfield could also have a youthful look with Tommy Doyle and Adrian Bernabe in contention for rare appearances in the centre of the pitch.

With Phil Foden having come through 83 minutes on New Year's Day, his spot in the team is likely to go to David Silva.

The versatile Oleksandr Zinchenko could be used on the left wing if Guardiola opts to rest the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez.

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Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring for Man City on November 30, 2019
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
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