Phil Foden plays. That goes without saying. But where?
Manchester City take on old foes Liverpool on Sunday and though they're down in 10th with only two wins to their name, Pep Guardiola still rates them as his side's biggest rivals for the Premier League title. With that in mind, a win would certainly do the Blues' chances of keeping hold of the crown a whole lot of good as it would see them move 16 points clear.
At this point, and especially with certain injuries, the City starting XI almost picks itself for the game. Joao Cancelo will almost certainly move back to his favoured left side after Sergio Gomez did his prospects no good with a silly red card in Denmark. That should in turn see Manuel Akanji go to right-back with Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake partnering in the middle.
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Ilkay Gundogan could start in the midfield but the trio of Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Bernardo Silva is much more likely. Erling Haaland obviously leads the line which just leaves the wide attacking positions and that question: where should Foden play?
Despite a slightly slow start to the campaign, according to Guardiola, Foden has roared into his best form in recent weeks with a series of excellent displays. A hat-trick against Manchester United was followed up with a lovely dinked finish at Southampton and it really feels now that he is reaching the apex of his game. A new five-year contract has been earned many times over and there's bound to be plenty more success to come.
The reignition of Foden's form came from his switch to the right wing. It's a position that he has rarely played but is really making his own now. The bulk of his seven goals and three assists in the campaign have come from the right flank and he is developing a deadly partnership with De Bruyne which is leading to ample ammunition being supplied for Haaland.
Continuing to play him there would be a no-brainer but there is of course the option to play him on the left. Especially as Foden has had so much joy attacking Liverpool down the flank in the past. In last season's trip to Anfield, he was excellent in stretching the play and causing the hosts trouble.
He should have won a penalty and had some good chances before grabbing City's first goal in the 2-2 draw, rifling in a shot across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner. He also had a hand in teeing up De Bruyne for his thumping equaliser. The 'Stockport Iniesta' reprised his role on the left last week against Southampton.
Last year's trip to Anfield saw Foden come up against James Milner at right-back, with the veteran struggling to keep up with him in an unfamiliar position. With Trent Alexander-Arnold injured another stand-in will be there this time around, likely Joe Gomez, and Foden may again be able to take advantage.
Where Foden plays will dictate how the rest of the front-three lines up. If he's on the right then Jack Grealish will start to make up what has been the side's best attack so far this season. If on the left, Riyad Mahrez will likely come in, though there is scope for Julian Alvarez, who scored in the Community Shield defeat, to start as well, even if it's unlikely.
Foden's position is the only real dilemma Guardiola faces ahead of the heavyweight bout and what a dilemma it is to have when either outcome is pretty great.
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