Manuel Akanji will be returning for Manchester City’s Premier League match against Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Swiss defender was sent off for two bookable offenses in the previous win against Brighton, so he was forced to miss last weekend’s lopsided 3-0 derby victory over Manchester United.
Although the obligatory one-match penalty did not apply to European play, Akanji started and scored in the ensuing Champions League victory over Young Boys Bern back in his home Switzerland. However, he was ruled out at Old Trafford, where Ruben Dias and John Stones were teamed in defense.
When struggling Bournemouth visits the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, the 28-year-old should be back in Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven. Kevin De Bruyne City is the only known absence at this time before the manager speaks to the media.
The important Belgian playmaker has not been able to play since needing surgery for a second hamstring injury that occurred only 23 minutes into the Premier League opener against Burnley back in August.
De Bruyne intends to make a comeback in December, but Guardiola might decide to hold off on letting him rehabilitate until the new year rather than taking any chances with his health.
Predicted Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Akanji, Stones, Rodri, Foden, Silva, Doku, Alvarez, Haaland
Injured: De Bruyne
Doubts: None
Suspended: None
Time and date: 3pm GMT on Saturday November 4, 2023
Venue: Etihad Stadium
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