PREDICTED LINEUP - MANCHESTER CITY VS LEICESTER CITY - DE BRUYNE STARTS, PHILLIPS OVER RODRI

Manchester City are back in action in the Premier League after their latest empthatic victory, taking on a Leicester City side at the Etihad Stadium who are fighting for their status in the Premier League.

The Foxes currently lie in 19th place, and have key player Harvey Barnes missing through injury. As well as this, it's the first game in charge for new interim manager Dean Smith, who'll look to give them a "new manager bounce" at arguably the most difficult stadium to win at in the Premier League.

On paper, this should be a simple game for the Blues; however, they'll surely be looking towards their trip to the Allianz Arena on Wednesaday night, for the all important UEFA Champions League final second leg tie against Bayern Munich. City currently hold an all important 3-0 aggregate lead, however, manager Pep Guardiola won't be resting on his laurels, and will undoubtedly name the strongest side possible to him, as a sign of resepct to Bayern Munich, and also to make sure the Blues don't throw what is a fantastic position that they've put themselves in.

Between the upcoming game against Leicester, and next week's FA Cup semi final with Sheffield United, it's undeniable that we will see some of City's lesser spotted players starting, to maintain freshness in what is a small squad by Premier League standards.

Or, Guardiola could surprise us all (and leave me looking ridiculous) by playing his strongest 11 in all 3 games, although I think that will be highly unlikely.

Here's our prediction for the upcoming Premier League clash with Leicester:

Ederson is one player I'm almost certain won't be rotated - for the Leicester City game at least - so expect him to start in goal after an excellent performance against Bayern on Tuesday.

With Guardiola finding a tactical solution to get an all important extra body in midfield from centre back, this could mean there is a regular return to the side for Kyle Walker at right back. Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake could be rested for this one, which'll see John Stones and Manuel Akanji lining up at centre back, with the former dropping into midfield. Aymeric Laporte, therefore, will start at left back.

This could be the perfect opportunity to give a first Premier League start of the season to Kalvin Phillips, starting at the base of midfield, where he'll be accompanied by Stones when in possession. We predict the versatile and talented Bernardo Silva to play as the left sided 8, with Kevin de Bruyne shaking off any potential injury concerns to start as the right sided 8, offering "chaos" to the City midfield.

Riyad Mahrez, who narrowly missed out on a starting place against Bayern Munich, should start against his former club on the right wing, with the nowadays ever present Jack Grealish playing off the left.

The centre forward role is practically a coin toss, but we're opting for Julian Alvarez, given his fine performance off the substitutes bench against Bayern, and also considering Erling Haaland's recent injury, combined with the fact he played 90 minutes midweek.

With Phil Foden recovering well, but not yet fit enough to begin training again, this will leave Stefan Ortega-Moreno, Rico Lewis, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Sergio Gomez, Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Cole Palmer and Erling Haaland on the bench.

CMON CITY!!!