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Man City have three games in seven days and will play in the Club World Cup
Pep Guardiola confirmed that he will give fringe players a chance on Wednesday
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Published: 16:38 EDT, 12 December 2023 | Updated: 16:43 EDT, 12 December 2023

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is ready to give his fringe players a chance against Red Star Belgrade with Champions League qualification already secured.

City face a hectic schedule with three games in seven days, including a trip to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup next week.

Guardiola’s side have already topped their Champions League group, with five wins from five games, and the City boss confirmed he will rotate his starting XI this evening. The likes of Matheus Nunes, Stefan Ortega and youngster Oscar Bobb are expected get a run out.

‘What we have to do to win the game. We will rotate some players. We have three days, travel five, six hours, [in] three days. I'm very pleased I can play some players who haven't played lately.

‘I don't like for the group stage to go the last game or last chance to play away, if we had to go away to defend the qualification. But fortunately we did our job and won our games at home, and we are lucky to come here.

Pep Guardiola confirmed that he will rotate his Manchester City side for their final group game

Matheus Nunes will likely feature and build on his ten appearances since his £53m move

‘In the same way [we] demand of the players you have to perform.’

City remain without the injured Erling Haaland while Jeremy Doku and goalkeeper Edersen have also not travelled with the squad. Guardiola said Haaland will be assessed on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.

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‘We will be back Thursday and we see how he feels,’ Guardiola said. ‘I cannot answer [about Saturday], I don't know. The next press conference I can be more precise.’

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Ortega, Lewis, Akanji, Gvardiol, Gomez, Stones, Kovacic, Nunes, Grealish, Foden, Bobb.