A sense of normality is finally returning to Manchester’s Sky Blue side, with City aiming for a fourth straight win in all competitions.
After securing two Premier League wins on both sides on New Year’s Day, City delivered a performance and a result from their relentless season at the weekend, beating Salford 8-0 in the third round of the FA Cup.
Saturday’s triumph is not a major indication that City will challenge again any time soon, but there is no denying that good spirits are returning to the Etihad. Pep Guardiola may have a few shiny new toys to play with before the month is over.
Next up is a trip to midfield team Brentford on Tuesday evening. This is how City could compete at Gtech.
TW: Stefan Ortega – It appears Ortega has taken over the number one spot as Ederson starts in the cup on Saturday. That used to be the job of the Germans.
RB: Rico Lewis – Kyle Walker may have already played his final game for the club, with Guardiola confirming the veteran defender wants out. Lewis is his successor.
CB: Manuel Akanji – The Swiss defender is an option for Guardiola at right-back, but will start centrally for now while John Stones and Ruben Dias miss out.
CB: Nathan Ake – Guardiola desperately needs Ake to stay fit given City’s precarious injury situation at the heart of the defense. The Sky Blues are the better team with the Dutchman in the eleven.
LB: Josko Gvardiol – Gvardiol’s season has been mixed so far and he would have liked to take a breather at the weekend before the busy January draws to a close.
CM: Mateo Kovacic – With Rodri out, City currently lack dominance in the defensive transition, so Brentford will fancy their counter-attack opportunities through Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. Expect Kovacic to commit a few tactical fouls at the base of midfield.
RM: Savinho – The Brazilian is starting to come into his own in the City shirt and given his recent success on the left, it would be no surprise to see him switch flanks in west London.
AM: Kevin De Bruyne – De Bruyne is certainly not the player he once was, but he will benefit from having the weekend off before Tuesday’s game. The Belgian is still capable of breaking down a deep, compact defense, with his shot from distance a potential source of goals on Tuesday.
AM: Phil Foden – While De Bruyne causes the destruction, Foden has the subtlety and finesse required to operate in and around Brentford’s deep defensive block. The Englishman scored in his last Premier League game.
LM: Jeremy Documentary – After scoring a brace at the weekend, Doku should retain his place in Guardiola’s side, even if Jack Grealish finally broke his goal drought with a penalty.
ST: Erling Haaland – Divin Mubama is unlikely to steal minutes from Haaland in the second half of the season, but potential newcomer Omar Marmoush will. The Nordic striker put in an excellent performance in the second leg, scoring twice after Brentford opened the scoring within 22 seconds.