Haaland is still not seen in the Line up and on the Bench which allows this to still be something unusual because previously it was rumored that his condition began to improve. But fortunately now Doku and KDB are already in their line up even though in this match he will be on the bench because surely Pep does not want to let him be suspended from the start especially since he has been injured for a long time so it is likely that Pep does not want to take too big a risk for a KDB.
Currently, not only Haaland but John Stones and Akanji will also certainly not be in the Manchester City squad in this match and that has been answered by Pep in previous journalists' questions.
It is currently rumoured that Haaland still needs time because after all he is still not fully fit so he will be left to rest and Pep himself does not know how long Haaland needs time but the hope is that he is fully recovered by the end of January and indirectly this gives an answer that it is likely that Haaland will still not be in the squad for the next few matches.
But there is a breath of fresh air at the moment because at least their youngster Doku is back fit and continuing his good form and for De Bruyne he's been injured and the recovery is quite long so I agree with what you're saying because rather than starting with a situation that will be very dangerous for De Bruyne then temporarily backing up and playing when in the arms is a good strategy from Pep.