Five things to look out for – Manchester City vs Al-Ain

Metropolis conflict with Abu Dhabi aspect with qualification doubtlessly up for grabs

Manchester Metropolis face Al Ain in Atlanta, realizing {that a} win all however secures their place within the spherical of 16 of the FIFA Membership World Cup.

The Blues simply have to beat the second lowest ranked aspect within the competitors (behind semi skilled Auckland Metropolis) after Juventus’s 4-1 win over Wydad AC.

That’s anticipated to be a formality for the Blues, however they have to be cautious of avoiding a shock, like Chelsea did by the hands of Flamengo or PSG towards fellow Brazilian aspect Botafogo.

Listed here are 5 issues to look out for in matchday two of the Membership World Cup:

Loads of modifications

Pep Guardiola’s pre-game feedback counsel wholesale modifications are so as.

Twice now, the Metropolis boss has mentioned we’ll see “ten new gamers” towards Al Ain. Whether or not this can be a determine of speech or not stays to be seen, but when it’s true, it signifies that we’ll simply see goalkeeper Ederson maintain his place.

The likes of Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, Nico Gonzalez, Oscar Bobb, Ilkay Gundogan and Matheus Nunes all look sure to start out.

Though, all of Metropolis’s recognised ahead gamers bar the 2 Norwegians (Bobb and Haaland) began towards Wydad, so we may see one thing of dysfunctional frontline maybe together with the likes of Bernardo and Claudio Echeverri.

Huge full backs

One factor I can predict with affordable confidence is that we’ll see Matheus Nunes begin at proper again and Rayan Ait-Nouri make his debut at left again.

Each of those gamers are stable sufficient defenders, while their attacking prowess means they’ll primarily act as wingers when Metropolis have the ball.

This may increasingly permit the likes of Bobb and Echeverri – who I feel could possibly be in line to start out on the wings – to float inside and act as quantity tens in possession, which is arguably each of their most well-liked positions.

This could possibly be a full again and winger tactical mixture that we may see extra usually throughout this upcoming season, particularly if Metropolis signal Newcastle United’s attacking full again Tino Livramento.

A begin for Bobb

As talked about above, I feel we’ll see Oscar Bobb make his first begin because the Group Protect final yr towards Al Ain.

It needs to be a reasonably low tempo, not notably demanding sport, as I’ll clarify afterward down the article – the right alternative for Bobb to start out his first sport in 10 months.

The Norwegian ahead is tremendous technically in a position, has a brief burst of acceleration and one eye on purpose too.

If he can get his momentum again for subsequent season, he’ll be like a brand new signing for Metropolis together with Rodri.

Minutes for Stones and Rodri

Talking of which, I anticipate Rodri, together with John Stones, to play vital minutes towards the aspect owned by Sheikh Mansour’s brother.

The present Ballon D’Or holder performed half an hour towards Wydad, and while he regarded rusty together with his passing, he confirmed the positioning and instinct that makes him comfortably the perfect holding midfielder on the planet when at his greatest.

Stones, in the meantime, has expressed his curiosity in remaining on the membership subsequent season, regardless of having seven centre backs within the squad in the meanwhile.

When match he’s arguably the perfect of them. That is his final actual likelihood to interrupt into the staff, show he can keep match and stay on the membership for longer than the one yr left on his contract, if he doesn’t go away this summer season.

An enormous win

When it comes to Opta Energy Rankings, Metropolis are nearer to Wydad than Wydad are to Al Ain. The closest English staff to Al Ain within the energy rankings are Lincoln Metropolis, who completed eleventh final season in League One.

The Blues are agency, agency favourites and this can be a nice alternative to construct up health and momentum, and get the boldness flowing forward of the doubtless knockout levels.

It needs to be a superb sport to look at from a Metropolis fan’s perspective – only a disgrace that it’s being broadcasted at 2am UK time!