Erling Haaland decision: Manchester City’s predicted starting XI v Bristol City

Pep Guardiola has admitted that he will take Man City's FA Cup clash with Bristol City serious, which could hint that he could field some of his superstars at Ashton Gate.

Kevin de Bruyne's status is in question after the Belgium international missed the draw against Leipzig last week and was an unused substitute in the 4-1 win over AFC Bournemouth. The 31-year-old was ill and was only deemed fit enough to be on the bench, and Guardiola admitted the high turnover in matches after just a three-day turnover between matches.

De Bruyne is still suffering from some illness but is ‘much better’ and he will train with his teammates this afternoon before a decision is made. Kalvin Phillips is still ‘adapting’ and could be preferred over Rodri wit h Guardiola stressing the importance that some players ned a little more time.

It's been a busy February for Man City and this will be the last of seven matches they've had scheduled in the shortest month of the year. Norweigan superstar Erling Haaland has played in all of them, only being brought off against Aston Villa and Bournemouth. He scored his 27th league goal of the season against the Cherries, but could he be afforded a break?

Guardiola was not specifically asked if Haaland would be playing, but admitted that their match against Bristol City was a ‘final’. He added that their unbeaten run of 12 matches, highlighed that they were a ‘good team’ and that they would fly to the West Country tomorrow and watch clips on their opponents, reiterating what he had been told by his scouts.

Here’s Manchester City’s predicted starting XI by ManchesterWorld writer Michael Plant to face Nigel Pearson’s side at a sold-out Ashton Gate: