How Man City should line-up vs Everton in Premier League fixture

Manchester City return to the Premier League this evening after their Club World Cup heroics.

While critics ridiculed the tournament as a distraction in the middle of the season, City fans will struggle to give that much credence when the players adorn the world champions badge tonight. Although Pep Guardiola's side are on cloud nine, the Catalonian boss will not be looking for any complacency at Everton.

Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku will be fighting hard to return to the starting XI on Merseyside following their injuries. Kevin De Bruyne is likely to remain sidelined until January but it was pleasing to see him take part in training last week.

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Rodri is also an injury concern but Guardiola seemed hopeful his injury suffered vs Fluminense was just minor. So with this in mind, here is how our City writers think the Blues will line-up against Sean Dyche's men.

Simon Bajkowski

City have never been higher in world football so with that in mind it may be the perfect time for Guardiola to bring some of his players back down to earth. Kyle Walker may use criticism of his performances as fuel but he has been well below par of late and so too has Ruben Dias.

With Rico Lewis, Manu Akanji, John Stones and Nathan Ake putting far fewer feet wrong, that feels like a defence with the physicality needed against Everton but also with the creativity to help out the midfield and attack. It may have been coincidence but Phil Foden was better in the middle without Julian Alvarez there as well, and he has earned the right to stay there; it is expected that Haaland will miss out.

Bernardo Silva is good enough to play anywhere