Will Erling Haaland start against Ipswich? Latest Man City team news after lineup hint

Haaland is also on a run of having scored in seven successive games for Man City, breaking two Champions League records in a thriller against PSG, but hopes of starting against Ipswich are seemingly in doubt with Maresca hinting at heavy squad rotation.

“At some point we probably need to give him rest, some days off,” the Italian said of Haaland at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“We are thinking about this not just with Erling because we have players, unfortunately or fortunately, they are playing all the games with us and all the games with the international teams.

“Elliot [Anderson], Enzo [Fernandez], Marc [Guehi], Erling, Ruben [Dias]. At some point we probably need to give them some rest.”

Erling Haaland has started the season in superb goalscoring form

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Although Maresca has confirmed that he is thinking about resting Haaland, it would be a surprise if such a decision was made against Ipswich as the Champions League showdown at home to AEK Athens on October 20 appears the more ideal option.

In addition, Man City do not have a natural replacement for Haaland but Antoine Semenyo is capable of leading the line, while Phil Foden often operated as a false nine under former manager Pep Guardiola.

The City team to face Ipswich will be announced at 1.45pm BST on Saturday, October 17, ahead of the 3pm kick-off at the Etihad Stadium where the league leaders can, temporarily perhaps, go six points clear with a win.