How Man City should line up against Bournemouth as Pep Guardiola tackles injury crisis

Manchester City head to Bournemouth this afternoon looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.

Pep Guardiola's men head to the South Coast top of the Premier League table after last weekend's 1-0 win over Southampton saw them leapfrog Liverpool at the summit. However, they head to the Vitality Stadium on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and in the midst of an injury crisis.

Guardiola's squad is down to the bare bones, with seven first team players set to miss the trip south, and some youngsters could be included in their travelling party. With that in mind, Manchester Evening News' City writers have picked their starting XIs to take on Andoni Iraola's side.

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Joe Bray

This should be the easiest team to pick of the season with barely a full team to pick from. But Guardiola has been cryptic about his injured players and hinted that some could make miraculous returns while others might play off the bench.

Let's stick with the players we know are fit and go from there. Haaland and Ederson will come back in, while Guardiola says Lewis has to play. Nathan Ake and John Stones are fit, while Manu Akanji has told a broadcaster that he is 'fine'. Add that to Guardiola's comment that Ruben Dias is struggling and Akanji might get a call.

Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan are fit to play in midfield, despite concerns over Gundogan's form, and Phil Foden can be the creative spark at number ten. Bernardo can fill in on the wing, with Matheus Nunes continuing his good form on the left.

I'd like to see James McAtee, Nico O'Reilly and maybe Jacob Wright get more minutes. Farid Alfa-Ruprecht can mirror Savinho's wing play if needed - but he is raw and any appearance would be a senior debut.

Joe's City XI: Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Ake; Gundogan, Kovacic, Foden; Bernardo, Nunes; Haaland

Sean McCormick

City have so many injuries ahead of their trip to Bournemouth, the team almost picks itself. Ederson was rested in midweek so he will return in goal.

Kyle Walker's injury means Rico Lewis is almost a certainty to start at right-back, with John Stones set to be partnered with Manu Akanji in the centre of defence with Ruben Dias set to be rested after suffering from a 'niggle'.

Josko Gvardiol has hinted he could be fit for the weekend after suffering an injury against Spurs but Nathan Ake is probably a safer bet at left-back with City unable to afford to take any further risks on the fitness front.

Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva will return to the midfield after being rested in midweek and Ilkay Gundogan, who was replaced at half-time against Spurs, can make up the midfield three. Youngsters James McAtee and Nico O'Reilly could well feature from the bench.

Matheus Nunes will be rewarded for his good form with another start off the left, with Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, who was also rested in North London, will make up the front three.

Sean's City XI: Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Ake; Gundogan, Kovacic, Silva; Foden, Nunes; Haaland