Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City will be without at least two players for Sunday's 2024-25 opener against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Oscar Bobb is facing between three and four months out as he requires surgery on a fracture fibula, while star midfielder Rodri - a Euro 2024 winner with Spain - is not ready to return following an extended break over the summer.
There is also uncertainty over the availability of England trio Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and John Stones, who all missed the Community Shield win over Manchester United last weekend and have only spent a few days back in first-team training.
Goalkeeper Ederson will be staying at Man City this summer, despite reported interest from Saudi Arabia, and he is set to start between the sticks ahead of Stefan Ortega, while Rico Lewis could play at right-back in the potential absence of Walker, joining Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol in a four-man defence.
Former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic is seemingly the most likely candidate to operate in the deep-lying midfield role in Rodri's absence, and the Croatian could be supported in midfield by either Matheus Nunes, Bernardo Silva or Kevin De Bruyne.
Bernardo is also an option to play on the right flank, as is Foden, Jeremy Doku and new signing Savinho, while Jack Grealish should be fit to feature after missing the Community Shield with a knock.
Few will be surprised to see Erling Haaland lead the line for Man City; the Premier League Golden Boot winner in the last two seasons scored a hat-trick against Chelsea in a 4-2 pre-season win earlier this month.
Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Bernardo, Kovacic; Savinho, De Bruyne, Doku; Haaland
> Click here to see how Chelsea could line up for this contest
Oliver Thomas
