Man City predicted XI to face Brighton

Pep Guardiola has been afforded six days to choose his side for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Manchester City didn’t play in midweek due to their fixture with Arsenal being postponed to allow the Gunners’ Europa League match against PSV Eindhoven to be rescheduled. It means City last played in Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Liverpool.

Guardiola went for an atypical 3-4-2-1 shape at Anfield and is likely to revert to his usual 4-3-3 formation when Brighton travel to the Etihad this weekend. City are expected to be without Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips for the clash, but it’s hoped John Stones may return to the squad soon.

Speaking on Friday, Guardiola confirmed Stones will be available again following a recent hamstring injury that ruled him out for over a month for City. But given the defender hasn’t played in over a month at club level, even if fit for Saturday squad, it’s unlikely he’ll be selected in the starting line-up. Instead, Guardiola is likely to select two of Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake.

At full-back, Joao Cancelo will almost certainly start with Sergio Gomez also an option. Akanji or Ake could play in the wide areas as well, pushing inside to allow Cancelo to advance with regularity.

WIth six days to recuperate from the Liverpool game and Guardiola no doubt hoping his side immediately bounce back, the City boss is expected to name a strong side on Saturday. It means Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne should start in midfield, with Bernardo Silva or Ilkay Gundogan to join them.

In the attacking areas, Erling Haaland is almost a certainty to play, while Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez will likely start on the wing. Here’s how we think the champions will line up this weekend.