How Manchester City could line up against Everton

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola should not shy away from making wholesale changes for Sunday's Premier League showdown with Everton at Goodison Park.

The English champions played out a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, where all 11 starters in sky blue completed the full 90 minutes.

Nathan Ake was the only absentee for that stalemate due to the thigh injury that he picked up in last weekend's win over Leeds United, and it is still unclear how long the centre-back might be sidelined for.

Guardiola is not blessed with endless options for change in the rearguard, but Aymeric Laporte will almost certainly be considered for a recall, potentially over Kyle Walker.

Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Ederson are all likely to hold their spots in the backline, with Guardiola aware that the title race is far from over, but Rico Lewis is a contender to demote John Stones to the bench.

Despite his two-goal showing against Leeds, Ilkay Gundogan could also find himself among the substitutes as Rodri joins Lewis in the double pivot, and several alterations can be expected in the final third.

All of Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez should be the first names that pop into Guardiola's mind for rotation, as the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva are kept in bubble wrap ahead of the second leg with Real Madrid. Jack Grealish and Erling Braut Haaland might not be afforded any respite, though.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Laporte; Lewis, Rodri; Mahrez, Alvarez, Foden, Grealish; Haaland