Despite a largely underwhelming performance in the Community Shield, Manchester City fielded a fairly full-strength line-up against Liverpool last week.
Ederson got the nod over new back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, the two senior full-backs in the squad lined up either side of Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake, while the midfield trio who were preferred in the United States got the nod ahead of Ilkay Gundogan and Kalvin Phillips.
In attack, Erling Haaland led the line, supported by Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish. With fitness and injuries elsewhere in the squad, City's starting XI picked itself, and now going into the Premier League opener versus West Ham, 10 of those players will be confident of keeping their place.
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It wouldn't be a surprise if the defence remained the same, with no alternative full-back options and Nathan Ake impressing against Liverpool. Ruben Dias looked a bit shaky — and was arguably at fault for Liverpool's two late goals — but he is the fitter option over John Stones to partner Ake while Aymeric Laporte is injured.
A midfield of Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva looks to be City's first-choice line up for the new season, with Ilkay Gundogan and Kalvin Phillips perfectly good back-up and rotation options throughout another busy season.
And in attack, Erling Haaland will lead the line when fit, with Riyad Mahrez first choice on right right, and Julian Alvarez able to cover in both positions when required. That just leaves one remaining starting spot at West Ham on the left, with Jack Grealish starting all three pre-season fixtures, but Phil Foden looking lively in his Community Shield cameo.
Grealish is clearly going into the new campaign with some renewed confidence, but didn't reach the heights of his US form against Liverpool. He scored at West Ham at the end of last season, which could boost his chances of starting on Sunday, but Foden was at the heart of City's equaliser last weekend after missing the US trip.
Foden may be called upon to start the season, and he will likely be first choice for the big games on that wing anyway. With a relatively easy first few fixtures, Grealish will get his chances in the coming weeks, although Foden's quick impact against Liverpool could give him the edge to start the opening day clash on the left.
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