Manchester City are looking for only a second victory since the beginning of November when they host Everton in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
The Cityzens suffered more misery on Saturday lunchtime as they were well beaten by a determined Aston Villa side, condemning Pep Guardiola to a ninth defeat in the last 12 matches in all competitions. It's an unprecedented run of dismal results for the world's best coach.
Guardiola offered a gloomy response to questions about how Man City were planning to turn the corner following the weekend loss, suggesting that his side must simply wait for injured players to return to full fitness. The reigning champions are currently without Ruben Dias and Rodri, while Ederson and John Stones are among the doubts for the clash with Everton.
Here is how Guardiola could line his side up on Thursday.
Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne should return to the starting XI against Everton / Carl Recine/GettyImages
GK: Stefan Ortega - Ederson's injury absence at the weekend saw Ortega return between the sticks. The German didn't do much wrong in defeat at Villa Park, even making some impressive saves to deny the hosts.
CB: Kyle Walker - Stones' latest injury setback and the absence of Dias for the next few weeks means Guardiola will have to get creative with his defence once more. He seems to favour the 3-2-4-1 set-up when his side are in possession, with Walker potentially acting as a defensive sweeper on Thursday.
CB: Manuel Akanji - The Swiss defender was not offered much support against Villa and looked isolated as a result. He doesn't offer quite the same solidity as Dias but he still provides some much-needed quality in the heart of defence.
CB: Nathan Ake - Ake returned to the bench at the weekend following a recent injury and the woeful form of Josko Gvardiol may see the Dutchman restored to the starting XI against Everton.
DM: Rico Lewis - The hybrid role in which Lewis operates hasn't always proved successful in recent weeks but Guardiola has continued to show faith in the 20-year-old. He should operate in defensive midfield when Man City have the ball, dropping into full-back when they lose it.
DM: Mateo Kovacic - Nobody can replace Rodri in this Man City team but Kovacic provides the greatest defensive security in the engine room. The Croatian's return to the starting lineup didn't change his side's fortunes against Villa, though.
RM: Savinho - The Brazilian has been relegated to the bench for the last three games but his explosive pace and willingness to run directly at defenders could prove crucial to breaking down Everton's stubborn low block.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne - De Bruyne was surprisingly an unused substitute on Saturday despite Man City desperately needing his ingenuity. Guardiola can't afford to rest the Belgian on Boxing Day as his side slip further into the abyss.
CM: Phil Foden - Foden scored his first Premier League goal of the campaign with a late consolation at Villa Park but the division's 2023/24 Player of the Season remains miles off his magical best.
LM: Jeremy Doku - Similarly to Savinho on the other flank, Doku's speed and tenacity could be key in unlocking Everton's defence. The Toffees have kept clean sheets away at Arsenal and at home to Chelsea in their last two matches.
ST: Erling Haaland - The towering Norwegian has scored just once in his last six matches - a dire run by his lofty standards. He had just 18 touches and one shot against Villa as Man City struggle to feed him.
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