Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will consider recalling a number of first-team regulars to his starting lineup for Wednesday's Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.
After being crowned Premier League champions on Saturday following Arsenal's defeat at Nottingham Forest, Guardiola decided to make nine changes to the side that beat Chelsea 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with only Kyle Walker and Manuel Akanji retaining their places in defence.
Stefan Ortega was handed just his second Premier League start in goal and will be hoping to fend off competition from first-choice shot-stopper Ederson, while Ruben Dias and John Stones will be pushing to start at the back.
Nathan Ake, meanwhile, is edging closer to returning to the matchday squad having missed the last four games with a hamstring issue, but the defender is unlikely to feature on Wednesday, with Guardiola stating that he does not intend to risk him ahead of two huge finals next month.
Kalvin Phillips was handed his first Premier League start for Man City following his summer transfer from Leeds United, but his place in the pivot role will come under threat from Spanish lynchpin Rodri, while captain Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne are in contention to replace Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, the latter of whom has scored in all four Premier League starts against Brighton, though.
Julian Alvarez led the line and scored the only goal of the game against Chelsea, but goal machine Erling Braut Haaland – who scored twice in a 3-1 home victory over Brighton earlier this season – could resume duties in the centre-forward role after being rested on Sunday, while Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva will be pushing to start on the flanks.
Riyad Mahrez, who has been involved in five goals (two goals and three assists) in his last four away games against Brighton, is another in contention to operate on the wing.
Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte; Stones, Rodri; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland
Oliver Thomas
