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Oscar Haley

Manchester City's predicted line-up for Leeds United as injuries force players out of position

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been handed a defensive selection headache ahead of his side's clash against Leeds United on Saturday night. City are without both John Stones and Kyle Walker, with the former starting at right-back in place of the latter in the Champions League this week against Real Madrid, before being subbed off after just 36 minutes for Fernandinho.

Stones was rumoured to be carrying an injury ahead of the semi-final but was risked due to the threat posed by Madrid's Vinicius Jr. Ultimately Stones had to be replaced by Fernandinho at right-back, who was unable to contain the flying Brazilian winger.

Vinicius managed to fool Fernandinho on the half way before racing up the other end of the pitch to score past Ederson.

Read more: Pundits agree on Leeds United challenge against Manchester City

As a result, Leeds may look to target City's right flank when they face them on Saturday night and have plenty of direct runners in the likes of Dan James and Raphinha who could pose plenty of issues for whomever Guardiola fields at right-back.

Away from the full-back issues, City are at full-strength and their incredible midfield depth is definitely a cause for Leeds' concern. Last time the two sides faced off, City smashed the Whites 7-0, in what was a drubbing from start to finish.

While it's always hard to predict who Guardiola will rotate, it would be sensible to think that he will make changes for the game against Leeds. City have to play against Real Madrid in the return leg of their Champions League semi-final next week and therefore it would make sense for them to rest a few key individuals against a side who are battling relegation.

Raheem Sterling, Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish, Nathan Ake and Fernandinho were all named on the bench for the Real Madrid game and will most likely come in to the starting XI.

Predicted Manchester City XI to face Leeds: (4-3-3) Ederson; Fernandinho, Dias, Laporte, Ake; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Grealish; Jesus; Sterling

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