Manchester City are expected to make several changes for Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Everton this weekend.
The Blues will have had just three days to prepare for the game following their win over Leeds United on Wednesday, and Pep Guardiola is expected to rotate his side. City also play Chelsea twice next week and Everton could be pinpointed as an opportunity to rest players.
Guardiola will also have to decide whether to stick with the fluid system he’s deployed over the last two games, which has seen Rico Lewis start at right-back but push into midfield when his side are in possession, and the remaining defenders form a back three.
That’s how Guardiola set up at Elland Road as City won 3-1 thanks to a Rodri tap-in on the stroke of half-time and an Erling Haaland brace. Only two players - Ruben Dias and Julian Alvarez - are ruled out for the game, meaning Guardiola has plenty of options should he decide to make changes.
Among those is Kalvin Phillips, who was deemed not fit enough to play against Liverpool last week, while he was an unused substitute when he faced his former side Leeds. But Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference that the player is available for selection once again.
Here’s how we think City will set up for this New Year’s Eve clash...
1. GK: Ederson
Returned for his first post-World Cup game when City played Leeds.
2. RB: Kyle Walker
Could come in at right-back and would be able to push inside if Guardiola opted to use a hybrid three-man defence when in possession.
3. CB: Manuel Akanji
Guardiola will likely choose between the Swiss centre-back and John Stones.
4. CB: Aymeric Laporte
Didn’t play on Wednesday and therefore could come into the starting line-up.