Pep Guardiola has revealed his preferred Man City starting line-up for treble run-in

Pep Guardiola's substitutions at Southampton in the FA Cup not only sealed a valuable quarter final win, but also confirmed the manager's thoughts on his strongest Manchester City XI.

Guardiola had made changes to his side in search of a first win in three games, bringing in Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan - who had all been left on the bench at Crystal Palace. However, it was the eleven players who finished the game that give a better indication of what Guardiola feels is his strongest team.

With nine 'finals' in the Premier League left, a testing Champions League quarter-final with Atletico Madrid, and the small matter of an FA Cup semi-final with Liverpool, Guardiola will need his full squad after the international break. What's becoming clear, though, is that the manager has a strong idea of his best XI that will be the focus of City's hunt for a treble.

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Ederson didn't start at Southampton as it was an FA Cup game, but he will be an automatic name on the teamsheet against Atletico and for the league match against Liverpool.

If Ruben Dias remains out - and Guardiola has indicated he won't rush the defender back before he's fully fit - then the two centre-backs are obvious as John Stones and Aymeric Laporte offer reliability and quality in his absence. When Dias returns, Guardiola will have the option to rotate his three centre-backs throughout the remaining big games.

Kyle Walker has been out of favour, and won't play in the first leg against Atletico due to suspension, but the back four is stronger with him on the right and Joao Cancelo on the left - just as it was on Sunday.

Rodri started at Southampton ahead