How Man City could line-up against Brighton

9:56am on Tuesday 12th January 2021
By Martin Macdonald

Man City boss Pep Guardiola will welcome influential goalkeeper Ederson back into his starting XI for the Premier League clash against Brighton on Wednesday.

The Brazilian stopper missed the games against Chelsea and Man Utd due to coronavirus isolation, with American Zack Steffen coming in between the sticks for the last three ganes.

Ederson returned to the bench for FA Cup duties versus Birmingham with Steffen continuing in goal, but he is expected to be restored to the starting line-up.

Raheem Sterling is a doubt for Guardiola after it was revealed he wasn't fit enough to feature in the Cup win at the weekend, and although he may feature against Brighton it might not be from the start.

However, City have been boosted by the return to training of Ferran Torres, who himself is available again after coronavirus isolation.

Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake remain likely absentees.

Unfortunately, Sergio Aguero's comeback to full fitness has been hampered by isolation after he came in contact with someone who tested positive for the virus.

Joao Cancelo should start at right-back, with John Stones coming back in from the start to partner Ruben Dias after beginning proceedings on the bench at the weekend.

Oleksandr Zinchenko will probably replace Benjamin Mendy at left-back.

Ilkay Gundogan, who was in superb form before being rested for the FA Cup with a place on the bench, will likely make a return, perhaps in place of Rodri.

The rest of the team should remain relatively consistent from the weekend, with Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus all starting.