The Manchester City lineup that should start against Gladbach
By Tom Gott
Manchester City will look to keep their outstanding start to 2021 going when they meet Borussia Monchengladbach in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday.
City are unbeaten in 25 games across all competitions and have won all 14 games they have played in 2021 so, unsurprisingly, they'll come into this one as heavy favourites against a side with just one win in their last five.
Here's how Pep Guardiola's side should line up.
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Ederson (GK) - Central to the way City play, Ederson is one of the first names on the team sheet these days.
Joao Cancelo (RB) - Expect Cancelo to start as a right-back, but you'll probably see him everywhere on the pitch. He's a monster.
John Stones (CB) - Nobody expected this resurgence from Stones, who has played his way back into the England fold with real class.
Ruben Dias (CB) - The signing of the season in the Premier League? Dias has stabilised City's defence and turned them back into the terrifying juggernaut that took the world by storm a few years ago.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) - Zinchenko's form has forced Benjamin Mendy well out into the cold, and he deserves to retain his place for this one.
2. Midfielders
Rodri (DM) - It was Fernandinho who started the recent victory over Arsenal, so the Brazilian should be rested for this one and replaced by regular starter Rodri.
Ilkay Gundogan (CM) - The best player in England in 2021, Gundogan has blossomed into a genuine superstar during City's unbeaten streak. He's a no-brainer.
Bernardo Silva (CM) - Kevin De Bruyne is back in action, but he shouldn't be overworked just yet. Guardiola should rest him and give Silva another shot in midfield.
3. Forwards
Riyad Mahrez (RW) - Mahrez has impressed in the last two Premier League games, offering up goals and assists, so he deserves to keep his spot.
Phil Foden (ST) - False-nine Foden has been incredibly dangerous for City and his movement would terrorise Gladbach.
Raheem Sterling (LW) - Sterling has been scoring goals for fun recently and is one of City's biggest goal threats. There's no way he should be dropped.