Man City lineup vs. Everton: Predicted XI for Premier League clash

Manchester City will be without star midfielder Rodri for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Everton at the Etihad Stadium.

The Spain international was forced off with a hamstring injury first half of Man City’s 1-0 win at Brentford before the international break and manager Pep Guardiola has since confirmed that he will not be involved against the Toffees.

Abdukodir Khusanov has missed the last four matches with a calf problem and Saturday's game may come too soon for the defender, so Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis are set to battle for a start at right-back.

However, the Citizens have been boosted by the news that Omar Marmoush (knee) and Rayan Ait-Nouri (ankle) have both taken part in first-team training after spells out through injury and they are in contention to feature in the matchday squad.

Mateo Kovacic, meanwhile, is available to make his first Man City appearance of the season since recovering from Achilles surgery. The Croatian played for over an hour in a World Cup qualifier against Gibraltar last weekend and he will likely compete with Nico Gonzalez for a start in a deep-lying midfield role in the absence of Rodri.

Rayan Cherki was an unused substitute against Brentford after missing the previous seven games with a thigh injury. The French playmaker should be in contention to play against Everton, but Guardiola will likely start with Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders in attacking midfield roles.

In-form Jeremy Doku impressed over the international break for Belgium and the left-winger will hope to return to Man City’s starting lineup after beginning as a substitute against Brentford, while captain Bernardo Silva is set to battle with Oscar Bobb and Savinho for a start on the right flank.

Few will be surprised to see September's Premier League Player of the Month Erling Haaland lead the line for the Citizens; the prolific Norwegian has scored nine league goals in just seven appearances this season and netted the only goal in the win at Brentford.

Central defensive duo Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol are expected to retain their starting spots, and the same can be said for Nico O’Reilly at left-back, while goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is poised to start again between the sticks ahead of James Trafford.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez; Bernardo, Foden, Reijnders, Doku; Haaland

> Click here to see how Everton could line up for this contest