Manchester City fans have backed Kevin De Bruyne for an instant return to action on Saturday night when his team travel to Bournemouth.
City could be five points behind Arsenal when kick-off at 5:30pm should the Gunners beat Leicester City today. The Blues have blown their respective one-goal leads twice in the past week, drawing at Nottingham Forest last Saturday before doing it again in the Champions League round of 16 first leg at RB Leipzig.
Pep Guardiola could not count on De Bruyne or Aymeric Laporte for that trip to Germany and the City manager is hopeful of having the Belgian midfielder back, while Laporte’s absence from Friday’s training session leaves him in doubt alongside with John Stones, long absent.
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Blues supporters have backed De Bruyne to return straight to the side, with Guardiola backed to pick a strong team against Bournemouth. It has been suggested that the 31-year-old will start alongside Rodri and Bernardo Silva, who have featured in 23 of City’s 24 league games, in an experienced midfield trio.
And Guardiola has been urged to return to turning the three forwards who have started seven of the last eight games in all competitions, with Erling Haaland set to lead the line, flanked by Jack Grealish on the left and Riyad Mahrez at the right. Former Aston Villa player Grealish has enjoyed some of his best form in a City shirt in recent weeks and will likely keep Phil Foden on the bench.
At the back, Blues fans have backed Rico Lewis to make his first start since the 1-0 loss to Tottenham earlier this month, this time at centre-back alongside Ruben Dias. The 18-year-old has shown the versatility of him in drifting center back from the wing, but he has yet to start in the center of defense this season.
Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake have been among Guardiola’s most reliable players this season, and both have been tipped to start on the right and left side of defense respectively, with Ederson in goal.
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