Manchester Metropolis have not tasted defeat within the Premier League since December 2023 and are aiming to increase that exceptional run in opposition to Brentford on the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Cityzens have made an ideal begin to 2024/25 as they seek for a fifth successive Premier League crown, swatting Chelsea, Ipswich City and West Ham United apart with little fuss. Erling Haaland has discovered the again of the web in all three triumphs and has already produced two hat-tricks this time period.
Pep Guardiola’s squad will solely be strengthened by the return of Rodri, who featured for the primary time since Euro 2024 over the worldwide break, however the Spanish coach might be with out Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake on the weekend. The influential Phil Foden and summer time recruit Savinho are additionally doubts, providing Brentford the faintest glimmer of hope.
With their Champions League marketing campaign kicking off midweek, right here is how Man Metropolis might line up on residence soil in opposition to the Bees.
GK: Ederson – Having been solely an alternative to Brazil’s internationals, Ederson might be recent for Saturday’s outing. He is unlikely to be examined repeatedly however the attacking duo of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa arrive on the Etihad in sturdy kind.
RB: Rico Lewis – Kyle Walker’s late return from Euro 2024 opened the door for Lewis at the beginning of the marketing campaign and the teen has been terrific in an inverted right-back position. His shows earned him a call-up for England’s senior squad in September.
CB: Manuel Akanji – The Swiss defender has began 2024/25 in spectacular kind, holding John Stones out of Man Metropolis’s XI. There is not any cause he should not begin on Saturday – aside from Pep roulette, after all.
CB: Ruben Dias – Dias did not cowl himself in glory with a slipshod personal aim in opposition to West Ham final day out however he stays an integral member of Man Metropolis’s backline regardless of the opposition.
LB: Josko Gvardiol – Gvardiol hasn’t been capable of present the identical attacking impetus from left-back as he did within the closing levels of final season. Lewis entering into midfield has restricted his skill to get ahead.
DM: Rodri – Whereas Man Metropolis have not missed a beat with out Rodri, they’ll actually welcome the Spanish enforcer again with open arms. His presence is felt extra keenly in high-profile video games however his requirements merely by no means drop.
RM: Savinho – The electrical winger missed the 3-1 win over West Ham resulting from a minor health difficulty however Guardiola advised that he can be match after the worldwide break. He is already made a telling affect for the champions.
CM: Bernardo Silva – The diminutive Portuguese maestro can play in central midfield, attacking midfield or on the flanks, such is his intelligence. He’ll probably interchange between a deeper and extra superior position in opposition to Brentford.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne – Desperately unfortunate to not get on the scoresheet in opposition to West Ham however De Bruyne cleaned up in his most up-to-date residence recreation. The 33-year-old grabbed a aim and help in opposition to Ipswich and in addition netted a brace on worldwide obligation.
LM: Jack Grealish – Two spectacular shows for Lee Carsley’s England present how menacing Grealish nonetheless is in full flight, even when he featured in a extra central position for the Three Lions. Competing with Jeremy Doku on the left flank, the previous Aston Villa ought to get the nod on Saturday.
ST: Erling Haaland – Seven objectives in his opening three Premier League matches, Golden Boot quantity three appears on its strategy to the Norwegian already. He’ll fancy his probabilities of grabbing a 3rd straight Metropolis hat-trick this weekend.
