Man City line-up vs West Ham predicted as Pep Guardiola experiments end

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Manchester City travel to West Ham tonight looking to bounce back from a humbling 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League

Pep Guardiola will be eager to see a response from his Manchester City team tonight when they travel to West Ham United in the Premier League. The Blues were second best at Real Madrid on Wednesday and the 3-0 scoreline leaves City on the verge of being knocked out.

However, Guardiola was keen to stress his focus is on the next game at the London Stadium and that winning the Premier League will prove tougher than lifting the Champions League. With seven points splitting City and league leaders Arsenal, Guardiola cannot afford to rotate too much against the Hammers.

City tried a number of experiments at the Bernabeu and none worked. The first was to drop Matheus Nunes at right-back and that should be rectified this evening. Abdukodir Khusanov has impressed at times but that has mainly been as a centre-back. There's an argument to suggest he could retain his spot and replace Marc Guehi after he struggled in Spain.

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But Guehi has enough credit in the bank to avoid being dropped. Nico O'Reilly reverted to left-back in Madrid; a puzzling move considering how well he has played in midfield. That was proven when he was pushed further forward and nearly scored, but for a remarkable Thibaut Courtois save.

Rayan Ait-Nouri should be recalled to left-back allowing O'Reilly to play in midfield. Rodri could also be rested considering he is still regaining his fitness and Nico Gonzalez is a competent replacement.

Alongside O'Reilly is likely to be Bernardo Silva given Guardiola's enthusiasm for the captain. Who plays on the wing is up for debate though.

Antoine Semenyo was awarded the Premier League's player of the month award for February and Guardiola has enjoyed using him. However, the Madrid game was a struggle as City overloaded themselves with wingers.

Perhaps now is the time Guardiola hands Semenyo a rest and recalls Rayan Cherki. While the Frenchman did not unlock the Real defence, he does have a knack of creating chances. Jeremy Doku can retain his spot while Erling Haaland remains likely to lead the attack.

City predicted line-up vs West Ham: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Gonzalez; Cherki, Bernardo, O'Reilly, Doku; Haaland