Manchester City vs Borussia Mönchengladbach, Champions League: Team News and Predicted Lineups

The European season is here! Manchester City kick off their Champions League campaign with a group stage match against Borussia Mönchenglabach on Wednesday at Etihad Stadium, and Pep Guardiola's side will look to start their continental season in style against a tough team.

After a spectacular victory in the Manchester Derby, Guardiola has no fresh injury concerns other than Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan, who are very close to full fitness. Gundogan is even in contention to be on the bench on Wednesday, but the German is still doubtful to play.

Despite his three-game suspension by the FA, Sergio Agüero is available for European matches, and the City striker will definitely be involved in the Gladbach game. City did pretty well without him at Old Trafford, but it's never bad to have the best striker in England on the team again.

Thanks to less injuries, Guardiola has many players to choose, and that's where the team selection becomes very interesting. Pep is known for changing his side from game to game according to fitness levels and the opponent, and that will probably happen again on Wednesday.

There are so many options and ideas, so here's my prediction for City's lineup to face Gladbach:

4-1-4-1

Claudio Bravo

Pablo Zabaleta - John Stones - Aleksandar Kolarov - Gael Clichy

Fernandinho

Leroy Sané - Kevin De Bruyne - David Silva - Raheem Sterling

Sergio Agüero

Playing at home against a Gladbach side that players with three/five at the back, Guardiola will certainly look to keep possession and own midfield, which means having ball-playing defenders all over the place, including the goalkeeper. Bravo had an eventful Manchester Derby but showed great distribution skills, which will come in handy again on Wednesday. Kolarov at center-back has worked well so far, and he and Stones have a nice understanding. Pep usually rotates full-backs, so Zabaleta and Clichy might come back in.

Fernandinho, Silva and De Bruyne are just undisputed starters in midfield right now, but we don't know how their fitness is looking. If they are fit enough to start, though, they definitely will. Leroy Sané had an impressive debut at Old Trafford, and his combination of speed and skills will certainly hurt Gladbach on the wings, with Sterling looking to do the same on the other side. After sitting out of the Derby, Agüero is certain to play from the start, with Kelechi Iheanacho dropping to the bench.