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Manchester City predicted XI v Everton as Manuel Akanji decision made and £30m man drops out

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Manchester City have the opportunity to get back in the top four of the Premier League when they head to Everton on Saturday.

Manchester City go into their 3pm kick-off at Goodison Park on the back of a 5-2 win over Crystal Palace in which they came from two goals down.

It was such an impressive win that Gary Lineker said he felt Manchester City looked like they were playing close to their best for the first time this season.

Meanwhile, Everton are all-but safe in the Premier League, with David Moyes having overseen an upturn in form for a side that was previously in relegation danger.

Manchester City News looks at who Pep Guardiola could name in his starting XI for what is set to be their last ever trip to Goodison Park before Everton’s stadium move.

Manchester City FC v Everton FC - Premier League
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

READ MORE: Paul Merson makes bold scoreline prediction for when Manchester City head to Everton

Manchester City team news v Everton

Manchester City have been boosted by the return of Phil Foden and Manuel Akanji to training this week.

Foden was injured in the Manchester derby and missed the win over Palace, while Akanji has been out since February.

However, goalkeeper Ederson will be absent after aggravating a muscle injury against Palace.

Ederson joins Rodri, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Erling Haaland on the City sidelines.

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Manuel Akanji tipped to start on Manchester City bench as Mateo Kovacic potentially dropped

With Ederson out injured, Stefan Ortega is set to replace the Brazilian in between the sticks.

Although Akanji is back, we feel Guardiola won’t risk him from the off – he’s likely to opt for the same back four that started against Palace.

This would be a centre-back pairing of Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, with Rico Lewis on the right and Nico O’Reilly on the left.

Manchester City predicted starting XI v Everton

In midfield, we feel Nico Gonzalez will remain in the XI, while Bernardo Silva will take the place of £30million ace Mateo Kovacic.

Foden’s return to training could see him named on the left side of attack, and Kevin De Bruyne, Savinho and Omar Marmoush could complete the XI.

Although Savinho has started the last couple of games on the bench, his speed and creativity out wide makes him suited against an Everton side likely to defend deep.

Manchester City predicted starting XI v Everton (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Bernardo; Savinho, De Bruyne, Foden; Marmoush