How Manchester City could line up against Cardiff City

Manchester City will move back to the top of the Premier League table with a victory over relegation-threatened Cardiff City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Pep Guardiola's side currently sit two points behind Liverpool but have a game in hand over their title challengers and could take another step towards a potential quadruple by recording a 13th consecutive victory.

Cardiff were harshly denied three points against Chelsea on Sunday, but they know that a trip to the Etihad Stadium is a completely different proposition as the possibility of relegation becomes all the more likely.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Man City could line up for the visit of the Bluebirds.

Out: Sergio Aguero (muscle), Fabian Delph (knock), Claudio Bravo (Achilles) Doubtful: Benjamin Mendy (knee), Vincent Kompany (muscle)

> Click here for Man City's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Rotation is anticipated to be the order of the day for Man City over the next few weeks as they continue to challenge on all fronts, so changes are expected from the weekend win over Fulham.

Sergio Aguero has been ruled out by Guardiola after limping off on Saturday so Gabriel Jesus will lead the line, and it could be an entirely different front three with Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez hoping to benefit from the changes.

Bernardo Silva is one player whom Guardiola seems reluctant to drop and so he could move back into the midfield three, where Fernandinho is expected to return to the starting XI.

The likes of Danilo and John Stones will also be hopeful of coming back into the team after being left on the bench at the weekend, while Benjamin Mendy and Vincent Kompany could further bolster City's defensive options by returning from injury.

Mendy is unlikely to come straight back into the side after another significant absence, though, meaning that Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to start at left-back once again.