Manchester City will be eager to get back to winning ways when they make the long trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
The Citizens began the season brightly with a 4-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but then fell to a 2-0 loss at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
Considering Manchester City were below par for much of last season, they will be desperate to show that they are firmly back in the Premier League title picture.
Manchester City News looks at who Pep Guardiola could name in his starting XI for the trip to the Amex Stadium.
Bernardo Silva in action for Manchester City v Bournemouth
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Manchester City vs Brighton team news
On Saturday, L’Equipe reported that Rayan Cherki would be out of the Brighton game with a thigh injury.
A day earlier, Guardiola confirmed that Rayan Ait-Nouri is available for selection and there are no other fresh injury concerns.
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The Man City boss also “hopes” to have Savinho back after the international break amid links with Spurs.
Meanwhile, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler admitted that he is “unsure” whether Georginio Rutter will be available for the City clash.
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Pep Guardiola tipped to stick with James Trafford as Bernardo Silva returns
Pep Guardiola is unlikely to make many changes against Brighton as he looks to go into the September international break on a high note.
There has been much discussion about James Trafford’s suitability for the No. 1 role after his error in the loss to Spurs last time out.
However, with Ederson’s future increasingly uncertain, we predict Guardiola will stick with Trafford for the time being.
Sticking with Trafford amid all the criticism would also be the best vote of confidence Guardiola could give to the young keeper.
We predict Guardiola will stick with the back four who started against Spurs, with Ait-Nouri likely to go back in.
As the club’s only conventional left-back, Ait-Nouri is an absolutely essential player – indeed, City were much worse after Ait-Nouri had to go off.
Rodri’s minutes are still being managed and, as such, Guardiola may resist starting him, especially since he has been called up to the Spain squad.
With that in mind, Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders are likely to start together in midfield.
Bernardo Silva is likely to return to the XI, with Oscar Bobb expected to make way for the £43million man, and Omar Marmoush could also start.
With Cherki said to be injured, Phil Foden could replace him in the starting line-up, though he may not be 100 percent fit even though he came on against Spurs.
And finally, Erling Haaland is expected to start up front – this is pretty much a guarantee when he is fit.
Man City predicted XI vs Brighton: Trafford; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri; Gonzalez, Reijnders; Silva, Cherki, Marmoush; Haaland