Manchester City return to Premier League action following the October international break as they welcome Everton to the Etihad Stadium.
The Blues, who haven’t lost since August, are up against a side still in their new stadium honeymoon period, but are weakened by the loss of star man and City loanee Jack Grealish.
Pep Guardiola revealed no fresh fitness issues whilst the squad were representing their nations, but City will still be without Rodri after his hamstring injury sustained in the 1-0 against Brentford last time out.
Here are five things to look out for on City’s return to action:
How do Everton cope without Grealish?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 5: Jack Grealish of Everton celebrates 2nd and winning goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar Via Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 5: Jack Grealish of Everton celebrates 2nd and winning goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar Via Getty Images)
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The Toffees are without their star man due to rules meaning players can’t play against their parent club whilst out on loan.
This is a big blow not just for Grealish, but for Everton, who will be without the man to have contributed a goal and four assists for them so far this season in the Premier League.
I suspect Tyler Dibling, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye will be the three players to support Everton’s centre forward in Grealish’s absence.
All three are excellent players good enough to play for most teams in the Premier League, but none of them quite have the wow factor that Grealish provides.
City’s record signing will hopefully be at the game to greet his former teammates, but from a footballing perspective I’m pleased Grealish won’t be lining up to try and get one over the Blues.
Ait-Nouri and Marmoush returning to the bench
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 05: Players of Manchester City take part in a drill during a training session open to the public advertised as the ‘City are Back’ event at Joie Stadium on August 05, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 05: Players of Manchester City take part in a drill during a training session open to the public advertised as the ‘City are Back’ event at Joie Stadium on August 05, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush both picked up injuries earlier this season, but trained this week and could be in contention.
Neither had muscular injuries, with Ait-Nouri knocking his ankle and Marmoush pulling ligaments in his knee, so there is perhaps less need to ease them back in slowly.
I doubt either of them will start thanks largely to the excellent form of Nico O’Reilly and Jeremy Doku, but they provide quality in depth and they’ll be welcomed back into the squad.
Haaland looking to score… again
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05: Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Brentford and Manchester City at Gtech Community Stadium on October 05, 2025 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05: Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Brentford and Manchester City at Gtech Community Stadium on October 05, 2025 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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Erling Haaland has been in many rich veins of form in his career, but this may be the richest.
The Norwegian striker bagged another hattrick on international duty, this time against Israel, to mean he’s scored in all but one of the games he’s played in this season.
His goal against Brentford last time out for City was excellent, the strength to hold off Sepp van den Berg and the footwork before a clinical finish was the perfect centre forward’s goal.
The one thing he’ll be chasing is a hattrick for City; he hasn’t scored one in over a year in sky blue. But with the way he’s started the season you wouldn’t put it past him to stick three goals past Jordan Pickford in the Everton net.
Nico G stepping in for Rodri
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Nico Gonzalez of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on September 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Nico Gonzalez of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on September 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Despite hoping to be fit for this game, Rodri is out for City after suffering a hamstring injury against Brentford, with Guardiola not knowing when the Spaniard will return.
But City have never been in a better position to cope without him. Mateo Kovacic, who played large parts of last season as the holding midfielder, is returning regularly to matchday squads post injury, but the man I expect to replace the 2024 Ballon D’or winner is Nico Gonzalez.
Nico has been at the club since January, and is slowly finding his feet. He was dropped for numerous big games last season, including the FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, but this season he’s been the go to man to replace Rodri.
I expect Nico to start against David Moyes’s side, and if he has a good game like against Brentford we can expect City to come out on top.
City looking to gain more ground on Arsenal and Liverpool with a win
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 5: Manchester City’s Erling Haaland celebrates scoring his side’s first goal during the Premier League match between Brentford and Manchester City at Gtech Community Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 5: Manchester City’s Erling Haaland celebrates scoring his side’s first goal during the Premier League match between Brentford and Manchester City at Gtech Community Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Winning the Premier League looks much more achievable than it did a few weeks ago, now that Liverpool have lost three games on the bounce heading into an international break.
Arne Slot’s side face fierce rivals for both Liverpool and City Manchester United this weekend, who tend to either compete well or get absolutely smashed whenever they visit Anfield.
Arsenal will also provide competition, having just lost once, away to Liverpool, this season so far.
But City, if they win games like this that they’re expected to, can definitely push for the Premier League title this season, and a win before either of their two main rivals have played will pile the pressure on.