Manchester City will endeavour to rise to the top of the Premier League table when they pay a visit to relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday evening.
Pep Guardiola's men were 10 minutes away from being knocked out of the FA Cup by League Two side Cheltenham Town on Saturday, but goals from Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres spared City's blushes after Alfie May's opener.
That 3-1 victory represented City's 10th win on the bounce across all competitions, and they will temporarily leapfrog bitter rivals Manchester United at the top should they prevail at West Brom.
With that in mind, Sports Mole looks at how City could line up for Tuesday's game at The Hawthorns.
Out: Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring), Sergio Aguero (coronavirus), Nathan Ake (muscular)
Doubtful: Kyle Walker (hip)
> Click here for Man City's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match
City have been dealt a huge blow ahead of their daunting February fixtures as Kevin De Bruyne - who limped off in the midweek win over Aston Villa - is out for up to six weeks with a hamstring issue.
However, the loss of De Bruyne does hand Phil Foden the opportunity to build on the six goal contributions he already boasts in the league this season, and the 20-year-old could be moved to a more central role despite his exploits from the left-hand side recently.
Gabriel Jesus did his confidence the world of good with his goal against Cheltenham and should be rewarded with another start here, while Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva are set to come back in on the flanks.
Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri will replace the veteran Fernandinho and the up-and-coming Tommy Doyle in the middle of the park, while Kyle Walker's potential absence could mean another start at right-back for the versatile Joao Cancelo.
Should Walker not make the cut and Cancelo lines up in his recognised role, Oleksandr Zinchenko - who has forced his way back into Guardiola's plans recently - is in contention to replace Benjamin Mendy at left-back.
The two centre-backs pick themselves in this City team at the moment. Eric Garcia and Aymeric Laporte both returned from injuries in time to face Cheltenham, but Ruben Dias and John Stones are simply undroppable in the Premier League and will once again provide protection for the returning Ederson.
Video prediction
Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:
Ben Knapton
