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Man City predicted line-up gallery vs RB Leipzig as Pep Guardiola confirms two stars to return

John Stones and Bernardo Silva are back for Wednesday's Champions League encounter against RB Leipzig.
John Stones and Bernardo Silva are back for Wednesday's Champions League encounter against RB Leipzig.

Pep Guardiola confirmed both John Stones and Bernardo Silva are available for Manchester City’s Champions League trip to RB Leipzig on Wednesday.

The pair missed last weekend’s shock defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers and have not featured in recent weeks due to injury. Silva hasn’t played since the win over Red Star Belgrade in the first group-stage game, while Stones has only played once all season. But both were named in City’s travelling squad for the flight to Germany and could play against Leipzig.

“They feel better, Bernardo better than John,” Guardiola said in Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. Both travel and we are going to decide tomorrow.

Played in the previous Champions League game, the home win over Red Star.
Played in the previous Champions League game, the home win over Red Star.

“[I’m] really happy that they’re back. John couldn’t play one minute this season [in the league] and Bernardo had a pre-season with the birth of his beautiful daughter and also was injured a little bit, with disruptions, which made it a little bit longer. But they’re back which is good news for us.”

It means that Kevin De Bruyne is City’s only absentee for the second group-stage encounter of the season, with Rodri available in Europe despite his domestic suspension for the Blues.

“Tomorrow Rodri is going to play the game and then I give him a rest,” Guardiola revealed. “He will go to Madrid for four or five days before the national team in the international break.”

In the midst of a busy run of fixtures, Guardiola may opt to make a few changes at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday - we’re backing him to make three from the weekend loss against Wolves. Here’s how City could line up…

Has missed just one match so far this season and will almost certainly start in Germany.
Has missed just one match so far this season and will almost certainly start in Germany.
Started at centre-back at the weekend and may keep his place on Wednesday.
Started at centre-back at the weekend and may keep his place on Wednesday.
Was selected to conduct the pre-match press conference, often a sign a player will start the subsequent match.
Was selected to conduct the pre-match press conference, often a sign a player will start the subsequent match.
An unused substitute at the weekend, but the defender could return to face his former club in the Champions League.
An unused substitute at the weekend, but the defender could return to face his former club in the Champions League.
Suspended in the league so should be fresh for the midweek European clash.
Suspended in the league so should be fresh for the midweek European clash.
Could be selected in the middle ahead of Matheus Nunes and Kalvin Phillips.
Could be selected in the middle ahead of Matheus Nunes and Kalvin Phillips.
Scored a sumptuous free-kick at Molineux and is in excellent form.
Scored a sumptuous free-kick at Molineux and is in excellent form.
Has tended to start on the right so far this season.
Has tended to start on the right so far this season.
Has scored 11 in six previous appearances against Leipzig, including five in last season’s 7-0 win at the Etihad.
Has scored 11 in six previous appearances against Leipzig, including five in last season’s 7-0 win at the Etihad.
Has been in and out of the side of late, but may be selected to start ahead of the inexperienced Jeremy Doku.
Has been in and out of the side of late, but may be selected to start ahead of the inexperienced Jeremy Doku.