Manchester City take on Brighton in their return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon.

Rodri is back for Man City this weekend. (Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

Manchester City are back in Premier League action on Saturday as they welcome Brighton to the Etihad Stadium.

City find themselves in the unique position of a losing streak after defeats to Wolves and Arsenal in their last two Premier League outings. Pep Guardiola will be looking to amend that and get his side back to winning ways against the impressive Seagulls.

The Blues will be boosted by the return of Rodri who missed those defeats through suspension but the midfielder’s three-match ban has now come to an end. John Stones is also in contention for his first start of the season after getting 90 minutes under his belt across two games for England over the international break.

Elsewhere, there are no fresh injury concerns for City with the only absentee remaining Kevin De Bruyne who is out until the new year with a hamstring injury. Guardiola said: “No problems, except Kevin. No, I don’t know. [When De Bruyne will be back].”

Guardiola will not underestimate Young Boys in the Champions League but this is the more dangerous game as they look to arrest their consecutive league defeats. For this task, the manager needs his best and most experienced Premier League XI.

Simon’s Man City team

That means Nathan Ake ahead of Josko Gvardiol at left-back and it also means Kyle Walker and Manu Akanji in ahead of John Stones, who waltzes into the side when anywhere near his best but hasn’t kicked a ball for City since the Community Shield. Brighton would be a tough ask to bring him straight back in for.

Julian Alvarez obviously starts if he is fit, although there is the question over whether it would be more beneficial for him to have that extra rest after playing in South America during the international break and returning back later than the other outfield players. I’d be tempted to keep him fresh for Young Boys and then United, while welcoming Rodri back into the team after his suspension.

Joe Bray

Guardiola spoke of Brighton’s width on Friday, so he may want to play a side capable of matching that while also exploiting space through the middle. Rodri’s return will help anchor whatever midfield system he goes for.

Phil Foden has a good record against Brighton, while Bernardo Silva looked good in midfield against Arsenal so should continue. Julian Alvarez can help link play through the middle and engage Erling Haaland. For width, Kyle Walker can look to push on and allow Foden to play in his favoured number ten role, or Foden could stay wide and Jeremy Doku is also comfortable hugging the touchline.

Joe’s chosen his starting XI

At the back, Guardiola’s caution over John Stones could see him start on the bench to build up his fitness after 30 minutes and then an hour for England over the international break.

Daniel Murphy

With a near full-strength side to choose from a losing streak in need of ending, there’s no reason for Pep Guardiola to not go as strong as possible for the visit of Brighton. Which can be done thanks to the long-awaited return of Rodri.

Bernardo Silva played well in a central role against Arsenal so I would partner him in the middle with Rodri. An attacking trio of Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez and Jack Grealish should be supporting Erling Haaland.

Dan’s team.

At the back, John Stones is ready to start and he should be given the nod here so City can get back to the system that served them so well last season. Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake should join him at the back.

Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk