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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Aymeric Laporte starts as Man City fans name starting line-up they want to see vs Everton

Manchester City will be aiming to tighten their grip on top spot when they face Everton at Goodison Park this afternoon.

City, who were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw when the two sides met at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season, will move four points clear of second-placed Arsenal with a victory. The Blues have won each of their last ten league matches and will be keen to boost their confidence levels ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid.

City, who drew 1-1 with Madrid in the first leg in midweek, defeated Leeds United 2-1 in their last league outing, creating a four-point advantage at the top. Arsenal, however, reduced that gap to just a point with a 2-0 win at Newcastle United the following day.

READ MORE: Everton vs City LIVE

The Blues, who have won each of their six visits to Goodison Park, will no doubt be keeping a close eye on Arsenal's clash with Brighton & Hove Albion later today, regardless of the outcome of their trip to Merseyside. The Gunners kick-off at 4:30pm.

City are sweating over the availability of Nathan Ake ahead of the clash with the Toffees. He missed the trip to Spain and, despite making progress, may not be risked with half an eye on the tussle with Madrid. With that in mind, how do City's supporters want the Blues to line-up this afternoon? MEN Sport has taken a close look at what they have voted for using our interactive widget.

Unsurprisingly, the supporters have voted for Ederson to retain his place in goal. The Brazilian will be determined to record a clean sheet after failing to keep one in each of his last six Premier League appearances. He last kept one when City defeated Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park on March 11.

In defence, the supporters want to see Pep Guardiola make two changes to the back-four that started in Madrid on Tuesday, possibly with a view to keeping some players protected for the return leg. They want to see youngster Rico Lewis start at right-back in place of Kyle Walker and Aymeric Laporte come into the side for John Stones.

They want Manuel Akanji to operate at left-back with Laporte partnering Ruben Dias in the heart of the defence.

In midfield, the supporters hope Guardiola goes with the tried and tested trio of Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri. All three of them started in Madrid and Gundogdan will be keen to build on his two-goal haul against Leeds last Saturday.

Up front, the supporters want Guardiola to make two changes, handing recalls to Riyad Mahez and Phil Foden at the expense of Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish. Both Mahrez and Foden were unused substitutes at the Bernabeu and will no doubt be determined to get some minutes in their legs ahead of the second clash with Madrid.

Erling Haaland has, of course, got the nod to spearhead the attack and he will be looking to end his mini-goal drought after failing to score against both Leeds and Madrid. He has, however, scored in each of City's last three Premier League away games.

City fans XI vs Everton: Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Laporte, Akanji; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Haaland, Foden.

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