Man City's seven simple changes vs Luton to address fitness concerns for Real Madrid

If Manchester City could handpick a Premier League game to play in between their two Champions League showdowns with Real Madrid, then a home encounter against Luton would be one of their preferred fixtures.

City haven't had everything easy against Luton this season, falling behind at Kenilworth Road in the league, and conceding twice in the FA Cup, but eight goals to three in their favour means the Blues will be confident of a win to keep things ticking in the title race. Only Sheffield United have picked up fewer points away from home this season, and no side have conceded more on their travels.

With four days to prepare for the Luton game and a monumental clash awaiting four days later at the Etihad against Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola can use the game to rotate his pack - especially after the Blues returned from Spain with a number of fitness and injury concerns.

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Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake didn't travel to Madrid, and it feels a return against Luton is unlikely. Even if they were fit, it may be better to ease them back off the bench. Rodri confirmed that John Stones was playing with an injury, and Guardiola admitted he didn't want to play Stones for 90 minutes three days earlier at Crystal Palace. Surely he must be rested on Saturday.

The options to replace him are limited, but Rico Lewis is back in form after scoring at Palace so can come in at right-back, moving Manu Akanji inside. Sergio Gomez could then be brought in from the cold on the left to ease the pressure on one of Akanji, Josko Gvardiol or Ruben Dias. The substitutions can then be used