Manchester City will be aiming to maintain their tremendous scoring form as they travel to Goodison Park to face Everton on Saturday.
The Citizens, following their shock defeat to Norwich, have scored 14 goals in the last three matches, including a thumping 8-0 win over Watford. They are, however, trailing league leaders Liverpool by five points and therefore, are in desperate need of all three points.
Here is how Pep Guardiola’s men could line up against the Toffees this weekend.
Formation: 4-3-3
Defence
Guardiola gave a lot of his youngsters a chance to impress in the midweek game against Preston. The Catalan boss will switch to his strongest possible eleven in this must-win fixture, meaning both Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho will return in central defence, replacing Eric Garcia and Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Fernandinho will start in place of the injured Aymeric Laporte and John Stones. The Brazilian international has done well, for the most part, this season.
Elsewhere, Kyle Walker will replace Joao Cancelo at right-back while Angelino will make way for Benjamin Mendy on the opposite flank. The French defender has recently returned from a long injury layoff and is expected to get the nod ahead of Oleksandr Zinchenko.
And finally, Claudio Bravo will return to the bench, paving the way for first-choice goalkeeper Ederson to start in between the sticks for Manchester City this weekend.
Midfield
Ilkay Gundogan featured in all of the ninety minutes against Preston in midweek. But, with Guardiola devoid of midfield options, the German might retain his place in the starting lineup.
However, he will swap positions with Rodrigo, who will return to his role as the holding midfielder. That means Gundogan is set to operate as a number eight, alongside Kevin de Bruyne. The Belgian international was rested in midweek and is a guaranteed starter in this game.
Attack
Bernardo Silva is expected to be given a breather after featuring against Preston. The Portuguese playmaker could make way for Riyad Mahrez on the right flank. The Algerian has scored only one league goal this season and will be desperate to extend his tally.
Raheem Sterling, meanwhile, could retain his place on the opposite flank, especially with Silva likely to start on the bench. The ex-Liverpool sensation has netted five goals so far, which is exactly the amount of goals that Everton have managed to score this season.
Sergio Aguero, however, has registered eight goals and is a guaranteed addition to the starting lineup after Gabriel Jesus was deployed as the number nine in the EFL Cup.
