Even so, the City boss had three issues to resolve: left-back, central midfield and his front three; so not insignificant.
Guardiola has opted to pick Sterling to lead the line instead of his usual striker-less system, while Sergio Aguero is on the bench as he hopes for his final minutes in a City shirt.
Further back, Rodri and Fernandinho may both find themselves starting to handle N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, partnered by the more attack-minded Gundogan, if he’s fit. Bernardo Silva will be vying for a starting spot.
Joao Cancelo has lost out in his battle with Oleksandr Zinchenko for the left side of defence, while Fernandinho is on the bench as Guardiola opts for a midfield three of Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.
Man City predicted XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko; Gundogan, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Foden
Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Mahrez, Sterling, Foden
Subs: Steffen, Carson, Ake, Jesus, Aguero, Laporte, Rodri, Ferran, Mendy, Fernandinho, Cancelo, Garcia
Man City confirmed travelling squad
Goalkeepers: Ederson, Scott Carson, Zack Steffen, James Trafford
Defenders: Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Aymeric Laporte, Benjamin Mendy, Joao Cancelo, Eric Garcia
Midfielders: Ilkay Gundogan, Rodrigo, Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Ferran Torres
Forwards: Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Sergio Aguero, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden
