Champions League

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Attendance: 50,411

Champions League | Group Stage

Dec 12, 2018 at 8pm UK

Man City Manchester City
2-1
Hoffenheim

Sane (45', 61')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Kramaric (16' pen.)

How Manchester City could line up against Hoffenheim

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 10 December 2018

Ahead of the Champions League clash between Manchester City and Hoffenheim at the Etihad Stadium, Sports Mole looks at how the hosts could line up.

Manchester City welcome Hoffenheim to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night with a place in the last 16 of the Champions League already confirmed.

The Citizens must now avoid defeat to the Bundesliga side to hold off Lyon for top spot in Group F, setting up a favourable two-legged tie in the first knockout round.

Home boss Pep Guardiola may be tempted to make changes on the back of Saturday's 2-0 loss to Chelsea, but there is still some work to be done when Hoffenheim arrive in midweek.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how City could line up for their final group match.

Possible MCI XI vs. HOF

Out: Sergio Aguero (groin), Claudio Bravo (Achilles), Kevin De Bruyne (ligament), Benjamin Mendy (knee), Oleksandr Zinchenko (nose), Eliaquim Mangala (knee)
Doubtful: David Silva (hamstring)

Guardiola may consider recalling Gabriel Jesus to his starting lineup after going without a recognised striker in the defeat to Chelsea.

Aguero remains absent with a groin problem, so Jesus - who bagged a hat-trick against Shakhtar Donetsk in his most recent European outing - is primed to start.

A defensive reshuffle is also likely, as Nicolas Otamendi and Danilo were both kept on the bench at Stamford Bridge and will be raring to go, likely meaning a rest for John Stones and Kyle Walker.

Elsewhere, Guardiola may see this as a good opportunity to give academy product Phil Foden a first start of the season in the Premier League or Champions League, while at the same time retaining some midfield experience alongside the youngster as City attempt to get the job done with minimal fuss.