Pep Guardiola to remain unchanged – Predicted XI: Manchester City vs Bayern Munich (Champions League Quarter-Final Second-Leg)

Manchester City look to progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League and build on their comfortable 3-0 advantage taken in the quarter-final first-leg against Bayern Munich.

City were very much in control at the Etihad Stadium against the Germans giants last week, courtesy of goals from Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland.

Another win – or the retention of a numerical advantage at the Allianz Arena – will see Pep Guardiola’s side progress to the semi-finals for the third year running, keeping their hopes of achieving European glory in Istanbul very much alive.

Manchester City have also closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal in recent weeks, and are set to face off against Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-finals, so the possibility of a treble for the Etihad club is still on the cards.

Bayern Munich have had a somewhat unsettled campaign, heavily involved in a Bundesliga title chase with Borussia Dortmund and experiencing the sacking of manager Julian Naglesmann. Nevertheless, the Bavarian side still top the German top-flight and should not be dismissed in their Champions League hopes.

Ahead of the game at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night, here is how we predict Pep Guardiola will line-up his side in the second portion of 90 minutes against Bayern Munich!

Predicted XI

Ederson will start in goal for Manchester City.

When it comes to system and formation, we expect Pep Guardiola to continue with his recently trusted 3-2-4-1 formation – which has worked incredibly well over the past few weeks.

Manuel Akanji could make the starting line-up after having a brief spell on the bench, with the Swiss international having played well throughout the season and pairing to great effect with Ruben Dias in defence.

Nathan Ake has become a regular in Manchester City’s starting line-ups, with the Dutchman arguably being one of the club’s strongest players this campaign, providing a stable and fortified defence.

John Stones has been an invaluable part of the starting line-up, demonstrating his versatility through Pep’s decision to alter his position. Stones has proven he can thrive both in defence and midfield and will surely be part of City’s side.

We expect Rodri to operate in his usual position as a defensive midfielder, with the Spaniard having been a key part of Manchester City’s line-up all season and providing an impressive goal in the first leg against Bayern Munich.

Bernardo Silva had a fantastic game in the first-leg of this encounter and has shown consistent effort and skill throughout the course of the season. The Portugal international could operate in a midfield alongside the likes of captain Ilkay Gundogan.

Kevin De Bruyne is also one name that is sure to make Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven, with the Belgian having been known to perform in big games over the course of his Manchester City career and will certainly be needed to ensure the side progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Whilst Phil Foden has returned to training following surgery this week, we expect Jack Grealish to once again make the starting line-up. The England international has become in invaluable asset, registering goals against Southampton and Liverpool consecutively.

Alongside Ederson, the player whom many to be nearly confirmed in starting line-ups is Erling Haaland. The Norwegian scored in the first-leg against Bayern Munich and now has 47 goals in all competitions – needing just nine more to break 40 in the Premier League, and seven more to have the most in a single Champions League campaign.

Predicted XI: Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Ake; Stones, Rodri; Bernardo, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland.

Substitutes: Ortega, Carson, Lewis, Walker, Laporte, Gomez, Phillips, Perrone, Mahrez, Alvarez, Palmer, Foden.