Man City Predicted XI vs Ipswich as Enzo Maresca Weighs Erling Haaland Rest
Manchester City go into the weekend needing a response. A 4-2 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek exposed a few things, fatigue, loose defending and a side that looked short of control once the game turned. Erling Haaland scored both goals, which is what he does, but the bigger issue for Enzo Maresca is managing the load on key players before this run becomes a problem.
The City head coach made that point plainly before the visit of Ipswich. “At some point we probably need to give him rest, some days off,” he said. “We are thinking about this not just with Erling because we have players, unfortunately or fortunately, they are playing all the games with us and all the games with the international teams.”
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Haaland likely to start for Man City
Despite that, Haaland is still expected to lead the line. The more logical moment to rest him looks like the Champions League meeting with AEK Athens on Tuesday. Ipswich at home is a game City will expect to control, and if they do, Maresca may get the chance to manage minutes from the bench rather than from the start.
Behind him, changes look more realistic. Rayan Cherki was hooked at half-time in Paris and that usually tells its own story. Phil Foden is available again after a three-match suspension and should come straight back into the side. Iliman Ndiaye also made an impact off the bench and offers directness that City lacked for stretches in midweek.
Rotation expected across defence and midfield
There are no fresh injuries, which gives Maresca room to shuffle without excuses. Ayyoub Bouaddi did well after coming on against PSG and looks ready for a start, with Elliot Anderson a candidate for a breather. Matheus Nunes should return at right-back after Abdukodir Khusanov endured a rough night against Desire Doue.
At the back, Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi are expected to stay in place. On the left, Nico O’Reilly could come in for Josko Gvardiol. That would be another small signal that Maresca is thinking beyond one fixture.
Predicted Man City XI vs Ipswich
Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, O’Reilly; Bouaddi, Fernandez; Semenyo, Foden, Ndiaye; Haaland.