Manchester City host Brentford in the Premier League hoping to put pressure on Arsenal in the title race
Manchester City welcome Brentford this evening as the Premier League title race continues
Manchester City welcome Brentford this evening as the Premier League title race continues(Image: Getty Images/Pick the Team)
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Manchester City return to action in the Premier League title race when they host Brentford. The Blues dropped points at Everton on Monday night and know nothing less than a win will be good enough if they want to pip Arsenal to top spot. During Friday's press conference, Pep Guardiola confirmed both Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol are back in training.
Dias has been out since March and while that is a lengthy lay-off, it seems he is in a good position to return to the starting line-up. Despite Marc Guehi's mistake against Everton, Guardiola is likely to back the England international and drop Abdukodir Khusanov to allow Dias' return.
Gvardiol has not played since the draw against Chelsea in January and is unlikely to be risked. Rodri was City's other injury concern heading into the weekend and Guardiola was not confident he would be back for Brentford.
That means Nico Gonzalez should keep his spot alongside Bernardo Silva. Jeremy Doku is another guaranteed starter for City, especially after his brace at Everton this week.
Phil Foden came off the bench on Monday and Guardiola was pleased to hear that Foden is close to agreeing a new deal but is unlikely to start. Rayan Cherki was not at his best on Merseyside but he remains one of City's most dangerous outlets in attacking midfield.
On the right, Antoine Semenyo is battling with Savinho and Foden to keep his spot. Savinho has played the full 90 minutes in both clashes with Brentford this season.
However, Guardiola trusts Semenyo and considering his form in front of goal this campaign, the Ghana international will likely keep his place. Leading the line will undoubtedly be Erling Haaland.
City's predicted XI vs Brentford: Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Dias, O'Reilly; Bernardo, Nico; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland