Manchester City host Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon and Pep Guardiola is expected to ring the changes from Wednesday’s EFL Cup win over Chelsea after resting a number of first-team players. So who will get the nod at the Etihad Stadium?
Man City v Brentford: What will the outcome be?
Man City to win
Draw
Brentford to win
Despite Stefan Ortega impressing between the sticks against Chelsea, Ederson should return to the starting lineup before joining up with the Brazil national team.
John Stones was an unused substitute in midweek but should come in for Rico Lewis at right-back who struggled in the EFL Cup. Sergio Gomez didn’t set the place alight either, so he should make way for Joao Cancelo at left-back.
Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias started against Chelsea but might be dropped at centre-back for Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji who partnered one another against Fulham last week.
Rodri started against Chelsea but was taken off midway through the game so he’d be ready for Brentford. Kalvin Phillips has returned from injury and replaced the Spaniard in the second half on Wednesday, but he might not be able to start a second game in four days.
Kevin De Bruyne was completely rested in midweek, so he’ll be ready to face Brentford. With three goals and 13 assists in 18 games, coupled with finishing third in the Ballon d’Or, Guardiola isn’t leaving him out. And while Ilkay Gundogan has started City’s last three games, Bernardo Silva might replace him on Saturday after playing for 40 minutes in the EFL Cup clash.
Riyad Mahrez scored Man City’s first goal and had a hand in their second minutes later against Chelsea, so he might keep his place – the 31-year-old isn’t at the World Cup, so he won’t be worried about a knock.
Jack Grealish played a full 90 minutes against Chelsea while Phil Foden sat on the bench, so Guardiola could swap the pair on Saturday – Grealish only has one goal this season while Foden boasts seven goals with three assists.
And with Erling Haaland not 100% going into the weekend clash, Guardiola should stick with the in-form Julian Alvarez in attack – he’s had a hand in five goals from his last three appearances.
Predicted XI v Brentford: Ederson; Stones, Akanji, Ake, Cancelo; Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva; Mahrez, Alvarez, Foden
In other news, Pep Guardiola could drop Ruben Dias ahead of Brentford clash
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