Manuel Akanji and Sergio Gomez could be rewarded for their impressive performances of late by starting Manchester City's Premier League fixture against Southampton on Saturday.
City are looking to continue their fine form since returning from the international break, after a 5-0 thrashing of FC Copenhagen in the Champions League followed a 6-3 schooling of cross-city rivals Manchester United in the derby last weekend.
All eyes will of course be on Erling Haaland, who has come back from the international break even more clinical in front of goal than he was before. The 22-year-old striker scored a hat-trick against United - becoming the first play ever to score hat-tricks in three consecutive Premier League home games - and was at the double against Copenhagen before being withdrawn at half-time.
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However, the more interesting aspect of Pep Guardiola's team selection will be in defence, where the groin injury sustained by Kyle Walker will force Guardiola to reshuffle the pack. Joao Cancelo will of course deputise at right-back, meaning Sergio Gomez could get the chance to start a Premier League game for the first time.
The young Spaniard impressed when he replaced Walker against United and when he played the full 90 minutes against Copenhagen. In both matches he showed his ability to tuck into midfield in the same way that Cancelo does, something that will be important against a Southampton side that is dangerous on the break and that City struggled to break down last season.
Akanji was rested on Wednesday night, the first time he hasn't started a game he's been available for since he arrived at City in August. The Swiss centre-back has been excellent so far this season, so it seems likely he will return to the starting XI. If he does, then Guardiola could also recall Nathan Ake.
Pep decided to play the two together against United rather than start Ruben Dias, explaining that he wanted one right-footed and one left-footed centre-back on the pitch in order to help City's build-up play. Given how City struggled to create chances against the Saints last season, the coach could go with the same pairing again. Aymeric Laporte played 90 minutes in midweek having just returned from a knee injury, so it might be a bit risky to put him in the starting line-up for the second time in three days.
Phil Foden sat out the midweek win, suggesting he will start on Saturday. In recent matches, Jack Grealish has finally started to hit his stride in sky blue, so it would be a surprise to see Guardiola cut his momentum by dropping him.
A win would see City move top of the table for 24 hours at least, with current table-toppers Arsenal hosting Liverpool at 4:30pm on Sunday.
Predicted XI: Ederson; Cancelo, Akanji, Ake, Gomez; Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo; Foden, Haaland, Grealish.
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