Ruben Dias comes into the side as captain along with Josko Gvardiol, Rico Lewis, Matheus Nunes, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish.
Striker Erling Haaland also starts after being replaced at half-time of our win over the Cherries with a slight ankle twist.
TEAMS
CITY XI: Ederson, Akanji, Stones, Dias (C), Gvardiol, Kovacic, Lewis, Nunes, Foden, Grealish, Haaland
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Walker, Phillips, Ake, Doku, Rodrigo, Alvarez, Bernardo, Bobb.
YOUNG BOYS XI: Racioppi, Garcia, Benito, Amendo, Camara (C), Janko, Lauper, Niasse, Ugrinic, Itten, Elia
Subs: Von Ballmoos, Marzino, Persson, Colley, Chaiwa, Blum, Lustenberger, Males, Nsame, Ganvoula, Monteiro, Rrudhani.
TACTICS
Guardiola has rotated six players out of the side for tonight’s game and it could be like for like changes in our system, although as ever the City boss has options.
Gvardiol would seem like an obvious swap at left back for Nathan Ake with Akanji potentially on the other side in place of Kyle Walker.
However, Lewis could play there or in the midfield role where he has excelled in the win over RB Leipzig.
That would seem him come in the holding midfield role for Rodrigo with Matheus Nunes further forward in place of Bernardo Silva and Foden taking Julian Alvarez’s attacking spot close to Haaland.
RICO AT HOME
It was just over a year ago that 17-year-old Lewis announced himself on the European stage with a goal and superb performance in our 3-1 win over Sevilla.
The next 12 months have seen him continue his progress at breakneck speed with Guardiola namechecking the former Academy player as a key factor in our success last season.
Lewis is recalled to the side tonight and is now settled in the first team surrounding after saying he was a little starstruck when he first arrived in the dressing room.
“At first it’s very difficult,” he said ahead of tonight’s game. “You get starstruck, from watching on TV to sitting next to them. You speak to them and they’re just normal people like anyone else. It’s an easy transition.”
His flexibility gives Guardiola options with the teenager impressing at both full-back and in midfield as he continues his rise.
MATCH STATS
City have won two of our three Champions League games against Swiss teams, although both wins were away from home. At the Etihad, we were beaten 2-1 by Basel in March 2018, when they were managed by current Young Boys manager Raphael Wicky.
Having won our opening three Champions League matches this season, City are looking to win their first four group games for a third time, also doing so in 2017/18 and 2020/21. We could become only the fourth holders of the trophy to win their first four games of the following season, along with Bayern Munich (2013/14 and 2020/21) and Real Madrid (2014/15).
Young Boys have never won away from home in the Champions League, drawing two and losing five of their seven away trips. They have avoided defeat in each of the last two, however, drawing 1-1 against Manchester United and 2-2 at Red Star Belgrade.
City are unbeaten in our last 27 home games in the Champions League, winning 25. Only one English team has ever had a longer run without a home defeat in the European Cup/Champions League, with Liverpool going 30 home games without a loss between 1976 and 2001.
We have the highest possession average in the Champions League this season (70.6%) – have completed 90.2% of their passes under pressure in the competition this term; the most of any side.
Rodrigo has completed the most passes (302) and has progressed the ball the second furthest distance with ball carries (663m) in the Champions League this season. He has been involved in four goals in his last eight appearances in the competition (3 goals, 1 assist), after not scoring or assisting in his first 43 games in the competition.
MAN CITY APP COVERAGE
Our official app allows you to follow all of the action from one place.
Minute-by-minute text updates are available on our Matchday Centre as well as our Matchday Live show.
We have guests on the latest Matchday Live show, offering their expert insight before, during and after the action.
They will also answer viewer questions throughout the broadcast, with audience participation actively encouraged on Matchday Live. To get in touch, send a WhatsApp to: +447537186538.
During the game you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann while our text commentary continues.
Make sure to have push notifications turned on as well, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and the team news.
Highlights will follow, as well as a full-match replay [available on CITY+] which can be accessed from midnight.
CITY+ | SIGN UP TO ACCESS EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
