Man City predicted XI gallery vs Brentford - will Erling Haaland play in last pre-World Cup game?

Pep Guardiola has one final team selection ahead of the World Cup. Manchester City host Brentford on Saturday in their last Premier League match until 28 December, and the City boss approaches the game with a mainly fit squad.

In nets, Stefan Ortega Moreno impressed for the Blues in midweek, but is not expected to keep his place in the team for the visit of the Bees.

Kyle Walker is the only confirmed absentee for City and he still remains out having undergone surgery last month, although the right-back was deemed fit enough to make the England squad this week. Aymeric Laporte is also a slight doubt after Guardiola said he was replaced as a ‘precaution’ on Wednesday.

That he and Ruben Dias started in the win over Chelsea could see them both rotated on Saturday in place of fresher defenders, while Rico Lewis and Sergio Gomez are expected to drop out of the team as well.

Kevin De Bruyne was given a night off in midweek and should return to the team, while Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva all played less than 50 minutes and at least two will join De Bruyne in midfield on Saturday. Kalvin Phillips is an option again after he returned against Chelsea, but won’t be fit enough to start against Brentford.

In the attacking areas, Riyad Mahrez, Jack Grealish and Julian Alvarez all played 90 minutes on Wednesday and therefore look more likely to start on the bench this weekend. But the latter’s selection will likely depend on the availability of Erling Haaland.

The striker hasn’t started in any of City’s last four matches and Guardiola gave a vague response when asked if he would be fit to be named in the team on Saturday, adding a decision would be made after the final training session.

With all that in mind, here’s how we think City will line-up this weekend.