![MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 06: [Editor's note - digital filters were used in the creation of this image] Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero of Manchester City lift the Premier League trophy during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at Etihad Stadium on May 6, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/2706ce57ad3e0da5b612a639075364ec25b665249c106b6e7452ebdc58625251.jpg "MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 06: [Editor's note - digital filters were used in the creation of this image] Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero of Manchester City lift the Premier League trophy during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at Etihad Stadium on May 6, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)")
Pep Guardiola and City have high expectations ahead of this season’s Premier League. If anyone can defend the title and break the hoodoo, it has to be Manchester City.
Manchester City enter the Premier League as the defending champions. Pep Guardiola’s men are already off to a flyer after their 2-0 win against Chelsea. That helped them win the FA Community Shield.
Sunday’s victory is another trophy under Pep’s belt. The Etihad Stadium outfit enters the season as favourites, despite there being a ‘curse’ of the defending champion. We have a look at Manchester City’s potential line-up this season which is expected to be in the common 4-3-3 formation.
DEFENCE
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Manchester City didn’t have the best defence last season but still managed to grab the Premier League by its neck. Ederson Moraes is expected to step between the sticks for the second season running.
Since being signed from Benfica, the Brazilian has done brilliantly and relegated Claudio Bravo to the bench. Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy should be the customary full backs barring rotations. Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi will be the central defence pairing.
MIDFIELD
Manchester City’s midfield was the team’s key to unparalleled success last season. Fernandinho did extremely well to cover the defensive midfielder’s role. He should be vested with that authority again by Pep. The former Barcelona boss signaled that David Silva’s role will start reducing due to his age. Hence, I feel Riyad Mahrez will play alongside Kevin de Bruyne in the centre of the park. The latter was arguably City’s best player in their triumphant season and will get into the league’s new season on the back of high expectations.
ATTACK
Pep Guardiola’s style of attacking football is matches by very few managers. Who are better names to cover the flanks other than Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling? Some might argue for Bernardo Silva to start over the latter. However, Sterling was prominent in City’s title run and has won over his boss. In the striker’s role will be the poacher that is Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian is one of the best young strikers in the Premier League and provides speed and support to City’s goal scoring wingers.