As City train at the Arena Națională ahead of Tuesdays crucial first leg of their Champions League playoff set against Steaua Bucharest, today I'll take a look at the traveling squad and try to predict what starting XI we might see in Peps second competitive game in charge. Firstly let's look at the squad that traveled to Bucharest:

Goalkeepers: Hart, Caballero, Gunn

Defenders: Sagna, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Stones, Adarabioyo, Kolarov, Clichy, Angelino

Midfielders: Fernando, Fernandinho, Delph, Silva, Navas, De Bruyne, Sterling

Forwards: Iheanacho, Aguero, Nolito

Some interesting omissions at first glance. Sané, Gundogan, and Kompany all miss out due to injuries. Of those three only Sané has a chance of playing the home leg next week because he is actually registered in the squad, just not traveling for this one. Others missing notably are Nasri, Toure, Bony, and Mangala. City fans have been hearing all summer how these four are likely to leave, as we get nearer to the end of August it looks like Toure may end up staying, but the futures of the other three are on a rocky base to say the least.

But let's get to the players who are in Bucharest, and who might get the nod on Tuesday night. I believe the players who were chosen on Saturday and who were subbed might offer some insight into who will be picked in this midweek game of the utmost importance.

Goalkeeper: Willy Caballero.

Like the song goes, "there's only one Caballero". He played a fine game against Sunderland. stopped a dangerous Defoe shot at the end of the first half, and couldn't really be criticized too heavily for the goal. Steaua presents a tougher test though, especially with their aerial threats. Pep could surprise us and had Hart a shock start, but right now it looks like Willy is his first choice.

Defenders: Stones, Otamendi, Clichy, Zabaleta.

So long as Vincent Kompany remains sidelined, you can pencil in number 24 each and every week I believe. Otamendia made the bench at the weekend, and had there not been this important game midweek, probably could have featured against the Black Cats. This makes me think Pep wants him in this tie. On the outside Clichy played well and without a clear backup gets another start, and Sagna makes way for Zabaleta as Sagna looked a little off the pace against Sunderland still struggling after a grueling Euros campaign.

Midfielders: Fernandinho, Delph, Silva.

Pep might go for a more defensive setup than we saw against Sunderland. De Bruyne looks to be the one riding the bench after looking a bit more of the pace than usual. I know he survived the full 90 at the weekend, but Silva was subbed with the lead, perhaps Pep thought De Bruyne needed more minutes, but he faded hard as the game wore on. For that reason I think Pep goes with two of his favorites in Fernandinho and Delph to run and cause mayhem in the middle allowing Silva and the forwards freedom to orchestrate the offense.

Forwards: Sterling, Nolito, Aguero.

Sterling had himself a man of the match performance against Sunderland. If he keeps this up, there is no way Pep can leave him out. Another obvious one is Aguero, as long as he is fit (and even if he is only 70%) he'll be out there. The third forward was a bit harder, the team looked different with Navas on the right and Sterling on the left. Not worse or better but different. In the end I think Pep goes with his preferred man in Nolito on the left and Sterling back on the right. Nolito provides what Pep wants, possession, good passing, and the ability to take on fullbacks one on one. Navas does these things also, but not as well and with a much smaller goal threat in his kit.

So this is my predicted XI for an incredibly significant game in August. Feel free to leave a comment with your XI down below, or comment and how wrong I might be! Thanks for reading and come on City!