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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
John McDougall

No De Bruyne or Gundogan - the Man City XI fans want Pep Guardiola to start vs Brentford

Manchester City fans want to see Kalvin Phillips and Bernardo Silva instead of Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan in midfield when they take on Brentford this afternoon.

City have already wrapped up the Premier League title and Pep Guardiola's side can reach 92 points if they pick up three points against the Bees. However, Brentford are still in the hunt for European football next season and it means a competitive encounter is in the offing.

City were last in action away to Brighton & Hove Albion, as Guardiola rotated his side with the top flight crown already secured. City have finals in both the FA Cup and Champions League to come over the next fortnight.

READ MORE: City boss Guardiola makes United FA Cup admission ahead of Brentford fixture

And for this afternoon's clash, City fans want Guardiola to make several changes from the side which drew at the Amex. An Ederson recall in place of Stefen Ortega is being called for.

Rico Lewis is tipped to start at right-back, with an Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias central defensive partnership sought. A place for Sergio Gomez at left-back is also wanted.

In central midfield, a return for Rodri to his more familiar holding role is on the cards. He could be partnered by Bernardo Silva and Kalvin Phillips in place of Gundogan and De Bruyne, no doubt with the FA Cup final against Manchester United on the horizon.

Up front, City supporters want to see Jack Grealish handed a start ahead of Phil Foden, with Erling Haaland and Riyad Mahrez keeping their places for the last top flight clash of the campaign.

Starting XI City fans want to see vs Brentford: Ederson; Lewis, Laporte, Dias, Gomez; Phillips, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish.

Get your hands on our 48-page souvenir United v City FA Cup Final print supplement by clicking here.

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