Early team news: Kevin De Bruyne drops out for Manchester City vs Everton (Premier League)

Manchester City welcome Everton to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon in their latest Premier League challenge and pursuit of Liverpool at the summit.

It was yet another comeback win for Pep Guardiola’s side in their previous top-flight clash, as they came from behind to Neal Maupay’s goal for Brentford to score three in reply through a Phil Foden hat-trick in West London on Monday night.

That victory moved Manchester City to within two points of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side at the top of the table, meaning the reigning Champions have the opportunity to go temporarily clear at the top with a win over Everton in the early Saturday kick-off slot.

City do of course have a game in hand on the teams around them, as the side take on Brentford once again in two weeks time at the Etihad Stadium, in a clash that Pep Guardiola has warned his players about due to the quality on offer by Thomas Frank’s men.

Guardiola does have a full compliment of first-team players at his disposal on Saturday afternoon, showcased by the depth on offer through the talent on the substitute’s bench in their last outing.

Ahead of the confirmed line-ups from the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, sources on social media have began releasing information around Pep Guardiola’s selection, with the first details offered by several Fantasy Premier League channels on X.

As per the information of X user FplToni, Phil Foden is part of Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up against Everton, hoping to continue his fine form for Manchester City, presumably in the centre of the park. Kyle Walker is absent from the initial line-up, as per the same source.

FplToni has also revealed that Erling Haaland starts once again for Manchester City, following his first start against Brentford last week after recovering from a stress fracture injury in his foot.

The Norway international appears to be paired in an attacking format that features Julian Alvarez, with the Argentine superstar also starting for Manchester City against Everton on Saturday, according to FplToni.

It has further been reported – as per the information of The FPL Newsletter – that Kevin De Bruyne is not named in Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up, presumably with a view towards rest and the process of easing the Belgian deeper into the intensity of match action.

In more early team news surrounding Pep Guardiola’s defensive formation, John Stones starts for Manchester City, according to X user FPLMaineRoad. The same source also reveals that Josko Gvardiol does not start for the Champions at the Etihad Stadium.

Elsewhere, and upon the arrival of the Manchester City squad at the Etihad Stadium, Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News has highlighted that Jacob Wright is with the first-team, while Mateo Kovacic is absent.

Pep Guardiola and Sean Dyche are expected to confirm their respective starting line-ups from 11:30 (UK) on Saturday morning.

Now confirmed.