Manchester City returns to Premier League action on Saturday when they host Brentford at the Etihad Stadium.
The Sky Blues sit second in the Premier League league and have won four of their previous five games. With a win versus Brentford, they can briefly take over the top spot in the league, since current leaders Arsenal play Wolves later that day.
Pep Guardiola’s team defeat
ed Chelsea 2-0 in the third round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday evening and will be heavy favorites when they face Brentford at the weekend.
Manchester City Team News
Erling Haaland has made considerable progress in his recovery from injury and was an unused substitute against Chelsea in the EFL Cup.
Joao Cancelo will be available for selection again after missing the midweek cup tie due to suspension. In what is a timely injury boost for Man City and England ahead of the World Cup, Kalvin Phillips returned to action from almost two months on the sidelines, playing over 40 minutes as a substitute in the EFL Cup.
Man City Lineup vs Brentford (4-3-3)
Ederson was rested in midweek as Stefan Ortega deputized in goal and put in a solid performance against Chelsea. The Brazilian should return in between the sticks on Saturday when Brentford visits the Etihad Stadium.
Defense
Joao Cancelo should walk straight back into the Man City lineup after serving his one-game suspension in the cup competition. He should slot in at left-back, while John Stones will look to put in a solid display at right-back with Kyle Walker still not back.
Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake have been preferred to the center-back pairing of Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte in the Premier League, and the duo should return to the Man City lineup against Brentford.
Midfield
Rodri will reprise his No.6 role in midfield, dictating the tempo of the game with his passing ability and game-reading skills. The Spaniard will be joined by Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan in Man City’s engine room, with the latter two providing creativity and guile to carve open Brentford’s defense.
Having Kalvin Phillips back from injury is a boost for Guardiola and City, and the England international could be brought off the bench in the second half if required.
Attack
Erling Haaland was an unused substitute against Chelsea in the EFL Cup and should be fresh to start in the Man City lineup. The Norwegian will spearhead the City attack, with Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden likely operating as wide attackers in the Man City lineup.
Foden and Silva will be hoping to provide service for Haaland to thrive in the opposition’s box.
In Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez, and Julian Alvarez, Guardiola should have excellent offensive options to bring off the bench when needed.
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