Man City line up vs Sporting predicted as Kevin De Bruyne decision made and change confirmed

Manchester City remain without key men for the Champions League tie at Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday night.

Defensive duo John Stones and Ruben Dias have not travelled and join an injury list that already includes long-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bobb along with Jack Grealish. Jeremy Doku, Savinho and Kevin De Bruyne all made the bench at Bournemouth last time out as they continue to recover from problems of their own while Nathan Ake, Kyle Walker and Manuel Akanji started having overcome issues.

With a trip to Brighton to come on Saturday ahead of the international break, boss Pep Guardiola will be hoping to come through the tie in Portugal unscathed and with a positive result. He would like to rotate from the defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday but match fitness restricts the options available.

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Guardiola has confirmed Stefan Ortega will be given a run-out in goal while Rico Lewis looks a good bet to come back in at right back given Walker is still searching for rhythm and form. Akanji and Ake are the only senior centre back options while Josko Gvardiol will continue on the left. In midfield, Mateo Kovacic will likely continue in the centre and Ilkay Gundogan could start again alongside him.

Bernardo Silva is a key player in this City side while Mathues Nunes has been in fine form in recent weeks and may well keep his slot on the left. Phil Foden and Erling Haaland will likely complete the XI with Savinho and Jeremy Doku able to offer options off the bench as they build up fitness. De Bruyne never looked likely to come on at Bournemouth and it seems