How Manchester City could line up against Copenhagen

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has left out a trio of players for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg with Copenhagen at Parken Stadium.

All of Josko Gvardiol, Sergio Gomez and Mateo Kovacic are absent from the squad for the showdown in Scandinavia, and while it is believed that injuries are to blame, there has been no official communication from the club.

Ruben Dias is one booking away from incurring a Champions League ban, but if City are able to glean a healthy advantage here, it may be preferable for the defender to enter the referee's book on Tuesday evening, thus sitting out the second leg but ensuring that his slate is wiped clean for the quarter-finals.

Whether Guardiola takes such hypotheticals into account is another question entirely, but the Portuguese is nevertheless primed to partner John Stones in front of undisputed number one goalkeeper Ederson.

A change at the back should not go amiss with a near full complement of players to pick from, as Kyle Walker seeks to demote Manuel Akanji to the bench, but Nathan Ake should continue on the left due to Gvardiol's absence.

The same can be said for Guardiola's engine room, as Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne were only brought on for the second half against Everton but should now earn recalls to the first XI alongside Rodri - Julian Alvarez and Matheus Nunes would make way.

Fresh from making it 50 goals in 50 Premier League starts with his game-winning brace on Saturday, the fit-and-firing Erling Haaland leads the line upon his return to Nordic territory, most likely with Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden accompanying him.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Doku, Haaland, Foden