90min

Manchester City predicted lineup vs Brighton - Premier League

By Jude Summerfield

Guardiola's City need to bounce back
Guardiola's City need to bounce back / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages
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Manchester City will look to get back to winning ways when they host Brighton in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola's dreams of a treble were dashed when the Citizens were beaten 3-2 in the FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool on Saturday, but they remain top of England's top flight with a Champions League last four tie scheduled against Real Madrid.

They face a Brighton side who have bounced back from a poor run with shock wins at Arsenal and Tottenham.

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Ruben Dias
Dias could come back in / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

Ederson (GK) - The Brazilian would have come in for Zack Steffen after the FA Cup tie with Liverpool anyway, but may be urged to take a few less risks after the American's blunder at Wembley.

Joao Cancelo (RB) - Doubts persist over Kyle Walker's fitness, so Cancelo may line up on the right again.

Ruben Dias (CB) - Hasn't played since early March, being an unused substitute in City's last two games. This could be a perfect place to bring him back into the fold.

Aymeric Laporte (CB) - Has regained his starting position from John Stones this season and may resume his excellent partnership with Dias here.

Nathan Ake (LB) - It's a bit of a toss-up for the left-back position, with both Ake and Oleksandr Zinchenko vying for the spot.

2. Midfielders

Bernardo Silva (CM) - Grabbed a late consolation in the defeat to Liverpool. Watford (five), Burnley (four) and Marseille (four) are the only teams he's scored more goals against than the Reds (three).

Rodri (CM) - His absence against Liverpool was notable, with Fernandinho losing the midfield battle to compatriot Fabinho. Rodri should slot straight in and you'll see an instant rise in City's performance levels.

Ilkay Gundogan (CM) - Both Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne are pushing for starts having struggled for fitness and the German may get the nod.

3. Forwards

Riyad Mahrez (RW) - Started the two UCL matches against Atletico Madrid and was a substitute in both recent games with Liverpool. Only De Bruyne (11) has scored more league goals for City this season than the Algerian (ten).

Phil Foden (ST) - On a run of seven games without a goal for club and country. His contribution will be vital in the run-in.

Raheem Sterling (LW) - Could be the victim of some Pep Roulette, with Jack Grealish and Gabriel Jesus among the options available to Guardiola in attack.

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