Ederson, Kevin De Bruyne, and Erling Haaland all to start – Predicted XI: Brentford vs Manchester City (Premier League)

It’s the final Premier League game of the 2022/23 season, as Manchester City travel to Brentford to finalise another historic top-flight campaign.

Finishing the season in the same city they started it in, an away trip to Brentford looms for the Premier League champions on Sunday afternoon. It has been a campaign of mixed emotions, but as the dust has settled, it is elation which is the final outcome for the Blues.

Introducing himself finely to the Premier League, top-scorer Erling Haaland kickstarted the scoring for Manchester City back in August – a feat which would become a customary experience for fans this season, with the Norwegian currently sitting on 36 league goals.

However, Brentford are one of the few sides Haaland has not managed to find the net against this season, with the Norway international coming up short in a 1-2 defeat at the Etihad Stadium back in November.

Brentford have the possibility of clinching a European spot this season, should results elsewhere go in their favour – giving the home side real incentive, on top of being able to boast a double over the newly-crowned champions.

Despite playing with more freedom in the last couple of games, Manchester City will surely be back to their free-flowing best on Sunday, with two crucial finals following the away tie to Brentford.

Pep Guardiola confirmed during the week that nobody is “definitely” ruled out, giving a huge boost to the squad after several players were absent in the contest against Brighton with “niggles”.

The Manchester City boss has also stated he will play the game as “strong as possible”, as he looks to carry momentum through into a couple of huge weeks for the club, with games against Manchester United and Inter on the horizon.

Considering the significance of the fixtures that lie ahead, the conundrum comes for the City boss whether to risk his stars, or save them to avoid injury, but the pre-match comments indicate the Catalan coach is prepared to take a risk in the name of momentum.

With that being said, here is the side we predict will be tasked to face Brentford in the final Premier League game of the 2022/23 season!

Predicted XI

After Stefan Ortega was granted starts against Chelsea and Brighton, we expect Ederson to return to the fray and start between the sticks this weekend.

Kyle Walker has been in inspired form following his return to the starting line-up, and we predict the Englishman to start on the right of the back four.

Ruben Dias was one of the players who did not travel to Brighton in midweek, but we expect him to start alongside John Stones, as the formidable pair look to combine once more.

We also predict Manuel Akanji to complete the defence, with Nathan Ake’s fitness perhaps being nursed and taken care of with greater attention given the crucial contests that now loom.

Rodrigo is expected to start in defensive midfield for Manchester City.

Kevin De Bruyne will be heavily relied on to provide for the club over the next couple of weeks – something which he is not a stranger to doing. We expect the Belgian to partner club captain Ilkay Gundogan and complete the midfield for the away side.

Riyad Mahrez has started the last six Premier League games for Manchester City, and we predict the Algerian international to extend his run in the side and start on the right of the front three.

Awarded Premier League Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season on Saturday, it has been another week of awards for Erling Haaland – who has took the English top-flight by storm in his debut season. We expect the 22 year-old to start up top on Sunday afternoon, and look to extend the current record of 36 league goals.

After missing the last two games, we expect Jack Grealish to return to the fold, completing the attack for Manchester City.

Predicted XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Akanji; Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish.

Substitutes: Ortega, Lewis, Laporte, Gomez, Phillips, Palmer, Bernardo, Foden, Alvarez.