Man City predicted line-up vs Salford City as Ryan McAidoo starts and Erling Haaland call made

Manchester City welcome League Two Salford City to the Etihad Stadium for the second time in as many seasons on Saturday afternoon

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola insisted he has drilled into his team that no game is easy and that everything they want to achieve is difficult to accomplish. However, City fans will be hopeful their side can progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup when they take on League Two Salford City this afternoon.

The Blues have only faced the Ammies once and that was last season when they squared off in the third round of this competition. Guardiola's men were 8-0 winners that day and after a 10-1 victory over Exeter City last month, City will be confident they can produce an equally comfortable scoreline.

Guardiola also admitted in his press conference his team were exhausted after a gruelling schedule in recent weeks. Therefore, it is almost guaranteed we will see wholesale changes to the starting line-up which beat Fulham on Wednesday night.

FOLLOW OUR MAN CITY FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester City Facebook page

Try MEN Premium NOW for just £1

James Trafford will start in goal and City lose no quality with that selection. Only arguably the world's best goalkeeper is preventing Trafford from playing more for the Blues and Guardiola will have no qualms starting him in the FA Cup after his recent performances vs Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.

In defence, Rico Lewis has struggled for games this season as Matheus Nunes impresses at right-back. He started in the last round and could do so again, as could Max Alleyne who has lost his place to the brilliant Marc Guehi in recent matches.

John Stones returned to the bench on Wednesday and Guardiola will assess whether he can start in the build-up to kick off. Even if he plays a half, it will be a good first step as he looks to recover.

Rodri could have a rest enforced on him next week after being charged by the FA due to his comments about officials following the game at Tottenham. Despite this, City will probably stick with the plan of starting Nico Gonzalez, especially if he needs to get back up to speed should he be needed to replace his fellow countryman.

Phil Foden has not played often but having started in midweek, he could be rested to allow Ryan McAidoo to start on the right. He was good against Exeter and deserved his goal so giving him another shot at first-team football would be deserved.

Erling Haaland's injury scare on Wednesday should be enough to ensure he does not feature against Salford. Omar Marmoush is the most likely candidate to replace him.

City's predicted line-up vs Salford: Trafford; Lewis, Stones, Alleyne, Ait-Nouri; Gonzalez; McAidoo, Cherki, Reijnders, Semenyo; Marmoush

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings