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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Kyle Newbould

Jack Grealish and Nathan Ake start as Man City fans pick their starting XI vs Nottingham Forest

Manchester City fans have backed Pep Guardiola to return to a more orthodox formation by welcoming Nathan Ake back into the starting line-up against Nottingham Forest, while Jack Grealish is tipped to continue his fine form in attack.

City travel to the City Ground knowing that they will end the weekend top of the Premier League should they beat Steve Cooper's side. The Blues have won their last two games by three goals to one, with Wednesday's win at Arsenal knocking the Gunners off top spot.

Guardiola admitted after that win that his initial tactics for the trip to North London were 'horrible'. The Spaniard altered things at half-time to allow City to get a grip on proceedings, and he is expected to follow suit this afternoon.

ALSO READ: City can end annoying habit against Forest

That will likely see Ake moved into left-back, while Aymeric Laporte has been picked to join Ruben Dias in the middle. The experienced Kyle Walker has been backed over Rico Lewis following a couple of impressive performances.

The main question of Guardiola's midfield for most of the season has been who joins Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne, and supporters have opted for the leadership of club captain Ilkay Gundogan over Bernardo Silva.

Erling Haaland is another obvious choice, with the Norwegian looking to notch his 27th league goal of the season. His finish at the Emirates ended a three-game run without finding the net, a relative goal drought for a striker averaging a goal every 72 minutes.

Either side of the 22-year-old will be Grealish and Riyad Mahrez, the pair seeming to have their places in the side nailed down in recent weeks. Former Villa man Grealish restored City's lead against Arsenal midweek, notching his third goal of the season, while Algeria international Mahrez has looked much sharper in recent weeks,

That means Phil Foden is expected to be on the bench once again, with the 22-year-old unable to find consistent minutes since returning from the World Cup.

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