Manchester City predicted lineup vs Everton - Premier League

Guardiola has some thinking to do
Guardiola has some thinking to do / Julian Finney/GettyImages
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Pep Guardiola has some starting XI decisions to make when Manchester City travel to Merseyside to face Everton on Sunday.

The Citizens took a 1-1 draw from their first leg with Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals but have Premier League duties to worry about before the return fixture next week.

City are top of the Premier League after overhauling Arsenal in the title race and face an Everton side that recorded an astounding 5-1 victory at Brighton last time out to climb out of the bottom three.

Here's the side Guardiola could pick as he juggles his squad.


Manchester City predicted lineup vs Everton (3-2-4-1)

Sergio Gomez, Julian Alvarez
Alvarez will hope for a starting role / David Ramos/GettyImages

GK: Ederson - Labelled "exceptional" alongside Kyle Walker by Guardiola for his performance at the Bernabeu.

CB: Kyle Walker - Looks to have won his boss over after some teething issues in the new system.

CB: Ruben Dias - The 2020/21 Premier League Player of the Season has been in wonderful form of late, ordering his teammates around and making robust challenges and blocks.

CB: Aymeric Laporte - A key part of City's domestic treble winning side of 2019 but isn't as relied upon in big games nowadays.

DM: Rodri - Guardiola will hope the indefatigable Rodri can continue delivering star performances until the end of the season.

DM: Rico Lewis - 18-year-old Lewis finished the Leeds game with a pass completion rate of 95%, showing he can nail the inside and outside roles in Guardiola's team.

RM: Riyad Mahrez - The natural option to rotate in for Bernardo Silva. Has four assists in his last three Premier League games.

AM: Julian Alvarez - The lightly-used Argentine could get a chance to shine if Kevin De Bruyne is rested and his sharp shooting and bursts of acceleration could cause the Toffees defence problems.

AM: Ilkay Gundogan - Likely to remain in City's starting XI even with changes elsewhere as one of Guardiola's key leaders. Grabbed the assist for De Bruyne's equaliser at the Bernabeu.

LM: Phil Foden - Should replace Jack Grealish out wide. Starting briefs have been limited recently due to injury but the England international did complete 90 minutes in the 2-1 win over Leeds.

ST: Erling Haaland - Guardiola will want a couple of goals early from his Norwegian superstar to preserve his fitness for the vital second leg with Real.


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