Man City predicted lineup vs Wycombe - Carabao Cup
By Tom Gott
Pep Guardiola will rekindle his love affair with the Carabao Cup on Tuesday as League One's Wycombe Wanderers roll into town.
The boss has already confirmed he's going to have to turn to some young players to cover for his tired first-teamers, and with a huge clash with Chelsea just around the corner, expect the boss to hand rests to as many big names as possible.
With all that in mind, here's how Guardiola could set up.
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Scott Carson (GK) - Guardiola likes to rotate his goalkeepers, and with Zack Steffen still battling the effects of COVID-19, it should be Carson who steps in for Ederson.
Kyle Walker (RB) - An experienced head at the back, Walker will likely keep his place in the starting lineup for this one, largely because of a lack of alternatives.
Nathan Ake (CB) - Aymeric Laporte and John Stones are both out injured, so numbers are pretty slim at centre-back. Ruben Dias will be protected above all, so Ake may need to start.
Luke Mbete (CB) - On the bench for the Southampton game, 18-year-old Mbete is one of the more intriguing prospects in the City academy and this could be his time to make his senior debut.
Josh Wilson-Esbrand (LB) - Oleksandr Zinchenko is injured and Joao Cancelo is going to get a rest, so there's a good chance we'll see 18-year-old Wilson-Esbrand turn out.
2. Midfielders
Romeo Lavia (DM) - Rodri is out and Fernandinho will not be asked to play three games in a week, so it could be a chance for 17-year-old Lavia.
Cole Palmer (CM) - On the cusp of a senior breakthrough even before this injury crisis, this will be a great opportunity for young Palmer to make another big impact.
Phil Foden (CM) - Foden is just working his way back from a foot injury and could do with the chance to build up his fitness before the Chelsea game.
3. Forwards
Riyad Mahrez (RW) - Mahrez has been playing a reserve role this season and can expect to start this one.
Ferran Torres (ST) - Gabriel Jesus has been hugely important on the right wing and young Liam Delap is still battling back from an injury-hit pre-season, so Torres may have to start here.
Samuel Edozie (LW) - Teenager Edozie made a good impact in pre-season and the Community Shield, and with Guardiola looking to rest his superstars, this could be another opportunity for the youngster.