Manchester City head into Thursday’s game against Tottenham Hotspur with a clean bill of health for the first time this season.
Pep Guardiola has every single player available with John Stones and Ruben Dias recovering from injuries in time to be considered for the visit of Spurs. Kevin De Bruyne is also available despite missing Tuesday’s training session, and Guardiola confirmed the Belgian was absent for personal reasons, but returned on Wednesday.
The City boss, therefore, has no shortage of options when selecting his team against Tottenham. The biggest certainty to start is Ederson in nets, barring any last-minute injury.
In defence, Guardiola must decide whether to play with a fluid back four, which could see his full-backs move into alternate positions when in possession, or the more traditional defence he used in Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United.
Joao Cancelo, Kyle Walker and Rico Lewis look like obvious candidates in the wide areas, while two of Manuel Akanji, Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake could start at centre-back given Stones and Dias have just returned from injuries.
Guardiola is also likely to choose three of Rodri, Kalvin Phillips, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne in midfield, with Phillips the most likely to miss out. Erling Haaland is expected to continue up front, and he’ll hope to add to his 27 goals so far this campaign.
In the wide areas Jack Grealish could come in after he netted in the derby loss at Old Trafford, with Riyad Mahrez or Phil Foden expected to play on the opposition flank.
1. GK: Ederson
Kept one clean sheet in four games since the World Cup.
2. RB: Rico Lewis
Might return to the team after missing the last two matches.
3. CB: Manuel Akanji
Most likely to start as the only fully fit, right-footed centre-back.
4. CB: Aymeric Laporte
Didn’t play on Saturday but could replace Ake at the back.