Manchester City fans are expecting Jack Grealish to return to the line-up at Wembley for this afternoon’s FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool.
The two sides do battle once again, less than seven days after their titanic meeting in the Premier League as they look to book their place in the final. Unlike their clash at the Etihad though, there has to be a winner at the National Stadium this afternoon.
City are looking to complete a historic treble this season, while Liverpool can still claim the quadruple, having already won the Carabao Cup this year. For one of the sides though, their hopes will come to an end today.
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Pep Guardiola has a number of big decisions to make ahead of kick-off, with his squad sporting some knocks after their gruelling Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid in midweek. Both Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker are major doubts following the clash at the Wanda Metropolitano, and neither feature in the fans’ XI for today’s semi-final.
In Walker’s absence, Joao Cancelo is switched over to the right, with Nathan Ake filling in at left-back. Aymeric Laporte and John Stones continue in the centre of defence, with Ederson replacing regular cup goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
In midfield, Ilkay Gundogan retains his place in the side as he lines up alongside Rodri and Bernardo Silva, who will have to dig deep after their midweek battle. It’s all change in attack though.
Riyad Mahrez is the only player to keep his place in the side from Wednesday night. Gabriel Jesus returns to lead the line, while Grealish is backed to make a return, having been named on the bench for the past two games.
City fans’ starting line-up vs Liverpool: Ederson; Cancelo, Laporte, Stones, Ake; Rodri, Gundogan, Bernardo; Mahrez, Jesus, Grealish.
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