Pep Guardiola to make two changes, £250k-a-week man to start

Manchester City take on Everton on Saturday afternoon and here is a prediction on how Pep Guardiola’s starting XI could look.

City have started to hit their stride after defeating Brentford 3-1 on Monday and they’ll be looking to stretch their domestic winning run to eight games against the Toffees.

Manchester City predicted line-up vs Everton

After such a strong display earlier this week, there isn’t much reason for Guardiola to change a winning team too heavily.

The return of the Champions League next week might be of consideration and the Blues boss won’t be taking their opponents lightly, but City don’t have the hardest draw against FC Copenhagen and could rotate more on Tuesday.

As a result, Ederson will almost certainly be starting between the sticks and the Brazilian will be hoping to finally keep a clean sheet as City have conceded at least once in 10 of their last 11 league games.

Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake may all remain in the back four but there could be a change of role for the Dutchman.

That’s because it could be a perfect time for John Stones to come into the starting XI. The centre-back has had some fitness issues as of late after picking up a knock, funnily enough, against Everton at the end of 2023.

Stones did play 90 minutes in the recent win against Burnley as he gets back to full fitness and could do with another start on Saturday.

With the £250k-a-week Stones coming in to partner Dias at centre-back, that could see Ake pushed to left-back with Josko Gvardiol moving to the bench.

The marauding Croatian has been key to City’s system of late but he wouldn’t be needed to bomb up the flank as much if its Jeremy Doku on the left rather than Phil Foden.

Everton have problems at right-back with Seamus Coleman only just returning from injury so centre-back Ben Godfrey has been filling in.

Either of them would have trouble against the lightning quick and skilful Doku, so the Belgian should come in.

That could give Julian Alvarez a rest with Foden moving into the middle alongside Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne.

They could be the only two changes with Bernardo Silva continuing on the right and Erling Haaland leading the line.

Manchester City predicted line-up vs Everton: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Rodri; Bernardo; De Bruyne, Foden, Doku; Haaland.