Man City predicted line-up vs Everton as Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland start

Manchester City will be targeting top spot in the Premier League table when they face Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.

City, who beat the Toffees 3-1 in the reverse fixture at Goodison Park in December, moved to within two points of the summit with a 3-1 triumph over Brentford on Monday night. Phil Foden netted a hat-trick to help the Blues secure a ninth successive win in all competitions.

Now hot on the heels of Liverpool, City will take up residency at the summit with three points against Everton, even though they could be knocked off their perch within a couple of hours. Liverpool face Burnley at Anfield at 3pm on Saturday and will reclaim top spot if they win.

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Manager Pep Guardiola did not report any fresh injury concerns at his pre-match press conference on Friday lunchtime, meaning he is poised to have a full-strength squad to choose from. Ederson is expected to start in goal. The Brazilian has started 21 of City's 22 league matches this season, only sitting out the 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion back in October.

In defence, Guardiola, perhaps mindful of the resumption of his side's Champions League campaign next week, may resist the temptation to hand a recall to John Stones against his former club and save him for the upcoming clash with FC Copenhagen. That means Ruben Dias could once again be partnered by Nathan Ake in the heart of the back-four.

As for the full-back berths, Kyle Walker is likely to continue at right-back, likewise Josko Gvardiol at left-back. They each produced solid accounts of themselves at Brentford.

In midfield,