Phil Foden and Kyle Walker both start against Atalanta as City make four changes from the side that beat Crystal Palace at the weekend.

It’s a second start of the season for England Under-21 international Foden, who scored from the bench in our last Champions League clash against Dinamo Zagreb.

Walker meanwhile returns at right back after a brief absence from action.

City team

XI: Ederson, Walker, Fernandinho, Rodri, Mendy, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Sterling, Mahrez, Aguero, Foden

SUBS: Bravo, Stones, Jesus, Silva, Bernardo, Cancelo, Otamendi

Atalanta team

City tactics

City are again set to deploy our favoured 4-3-3 formation against the Italian visitors. 

And as in our win at Selhurst Park it looks as through Rodri and Fernandinho will again be deployed in central defence with John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi both named on the bench.

Atalanta may have lost both their first two Group C games, but Pep Guardiola and his players certainly won’t be underestimating the Italians.

Under the astute stewardship of Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta have again impressed in Serie A so far this season.

Atalanta lie in third place in the table after the first eight games of the season and also boast the best attack in the Italian top flight, having scored 21 goals so far this season.

However, they have also conceded 13 goals domestically so expect possible thrills at both ends of the pitch this evening.

Flying high

City currently top Group C with six points from our first two games with Dinamo Zagreb and Shakhtar Donetsk, who face each other tonight, in joint second place on four points apiece.

A third consecutive group success would put Guardiola’s side in prime position to qualify ahead of our final three games – which include testing trips to Atalanta and Dinamo Zagreb.

No lack of incentive for City tonight then.

Stats

The two sides have never met competitively. However, this is the fifth time City have been drawn in the same Champions League group as an Italian club; most recently, in 2017/18, we beat Napoli home (2-1) and away (4-2).

That win at the Etihad Stadium was our first in five home games against Serie A sides (D3 L1); a 2-1 defeat against Juventus in September 2015 is our sole home reverse against Italian visitors.

City boss Pep Guardiola played in Italy for Atalanta’s arch rivals Brescia (2001/02, 2003) and Roma (2002/03).

Sergio Aguero will be making his 100th appearance in UEFA club competition.

Bernardo Silva is on 49 European matches.