Manchester City have one more chance to take points directly from a Premier League title rival and that is at home to Arsenal on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s side are one point behind Arsenal and Liverpool before the weekend’s action but they could be top of the table come the end of it. Liverpool face Brighton earlier in the day and City will be desperate to capitalise on any potential slip-up there.
The international break was not pleasant for Guardiola as he saw both John Stones and Kyle Walker get injured, while concerns were raised about the likes of Matheus Nunes and Manuel Akanji. He does have some returnees, though, so it will still be an incredibly strong Man City lineup.
Here is the team Guardiola may choose against Arsenal.
Man City predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-3-3)
GK: Ederson – The Brazilian has been out since the draw against Liverpool where he got injured whilst giving a penalty away, but he should be back for this equally massive game. He won’t want a repeat of what happened at Anfield.
RB: Rico Lewis – With the news that Kyle Walker is injured and not able to train, it could be a very big day for young Rico Lewis. He has handled all Guardiola has thrown at him so far, but this will be a very big test if he is given the nod.
CB: Ruben Dias – He will have some extra guidance to give if Lewis is playing alongside him at the Etihad but Ruben Dias takes everything in his stride. The early suggestions are that Dias will be focused on keeping Kai Havertz as quiet as possible.
CB: Manuel Akanji – There were initial fears that Manuel Akanji also had an injury as he withdrew from Switzerland duty, but he seems to have recovered well and is expected to start in the absence of Stones.
LB: Nathan Ake – The ever-rotating left-back role at Man City could fall to Nathan Ake on this occasion as he is a player Guardiola clearly trusts a lot. He will find himself up against Bukayo Saka who should be fit enough to start.
CM: Bernardo Silva – Bernardo Silva was very impressive again when Portugal beat Sweden 5-2 and he is expected to form part of a midfield three. His composure is key in games like this and he often stands out against the best, but the same can be said for most City players.
CM: Rodri – He netted an emotional penalty against Brazil earlier in the week which was dedicated to his late grandfather. He has every element of midfield play in his locker and he can even take penalties, which seems unfair on everyone else.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne – There have been fears about Kevin De Bruyne’s fitness in the build-up but he was in training on Friday and looks set to start in the midfield. He has eight goals and five assists against Arsenal in his career from 20 matches.
RW: Phil Foden – While he may prefer to play centrally, Phil Foden has done an incredible job from the right this season and if he can play as well as he did against Manchester United, Arsenal are in some real trouble.
ST: Erling Haaland – The Norwegian will have his work cut out trying to get any change out of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba on Sunday but you certainly can’t rule him out of scoring. He is still being incessantly linked with a move away but it is hard to see that happening any time soon.
LW: Jeremy Doku – Jack Grealish is expected to be fit enough for the bench on Sunday which gives Guardiola another option, but Jeremy Doku will almost certainly start and he deserves it for the impact he has made in his first Premier League season.
