Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Man City team news: Predicted 4-3-3 line up to face Brighton – De Bruyne fitness update
MANCHESTER CITY could welcome Kevin De Bruyne back to their starting XI for their final match of the Premier League season away at Brighton (3pm).
Pep Guardiola’s men know victory over the Seagulls will hand them a second consecutive title, regardless of Liverpool’s result at home to Wolves.
And City’s position has been further strengthened by the return to fitness of midfield star De Bruyne following a hamstring injury.
The Belgian has been sidelined since the 1-0 win over Tottenham last month but has returned to training and will hope to feature in the matchday squad.
Speaking about De Bruyne in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola said: “He trained the last two day and could [be involved].
“Fernandinho is not able. Maybe FA Cup, we will see.”
Unlike De Bruyne, the Brazilian midfielder is unavailable due to a knee injury so Ilkay Gundogan will continue to deputise at the base of midfield.
Benjamin Mendy is also unlikely to feature while Claudio Bravo is also doubtful but would not have featured anyway.
Meanwhile, Guardiola has a choice to make at centre-back between Vincent Kompany, John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi alongside Aymeric Laporte.
Club captain Kompany scored the vital winner last time out against Leicester and is favourite to get the nod again, with the Belgian first-choice in high-profile matches.
Oleksandr Zinchenko will continue at left-back while Kyle Walker will line up on the opposite flank.
David Silva and Bernardo Silva are certain to feature, although it remains to be seen whether the latter will start in midfield or out wide.
Leroy Sane and Phil Foden will hope to earn rare starts – depending on where Bernardo is deployed and if De Bruyne features from the off – while Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling favourites of Guardiola.
Manchester City predicted line-up vs Brighton & Hove Albion – Premier League
(4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Zinchenko; Gundogan, Foden, D. Silva; B. Silva, Sterling, Aguero