Manchester City are looking for just their second win since the start of November when they host Everton in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
City residents suffered more misery at lunchtime on Saturday They were well beaten by a determined Aston Villa sidePep Guardiola was handed a ninth defeat in his last 12 matches in all competitions. It is an unprecedented series of dismal results for the best coach in the world.
Guardiola gave a bleak response to questions about how Man City plan to move on from the weekend's loss, suggesting his side should simply wait until the injured players return to full fitness. The defending champion is currently missing Ruben Dias and Rodri, while Ederson and John Stones are among the doubts about their participation with Everton.
Here's how Guardiola could line up his team on Thursday.
Goalkeeper: Stefan Ortega – Ederson's injury-related absence at the weekend has seen Ortega return to the bench. The German didn't make many mistakes in the defeat to Villa Park, even making some impressive saves to deny the hosts.
Centre-back: Kyle Walker – Stones' latest injury setback and Dias will be absent for the next few weeks This means that Guardiola will have to get creative with his defense again. He appears to favor a 3-2-4-1 formation when his team is in possession, with Walker likely to play in a defensive defender role on Thursday.
Centre-back: Manuel Akanji – The Swiss defender did not get much support against Villa and looked isolated as a result. He doesn't offer the same solidity as Dias, but he still provides some much-needed quality at centre-back.
Playmaker: Nathan Ake Ake returned to the bench at the weekend after his latest injury and Josko Gvardiol's woeful form could see the Dutchman return to the starting lineup against… Everton.
DM: Rico Lewis – The hybrid role that Luis operates in has not always proven successful in recent weeks, but Guardiola has continued to show faith in the 20-year-old. Should operate in defensive midfield when Man City They have the ball, and they fall to the full-back position when they lose it.
Direct Defender: Mateo Kovacic – No one can replace Rodri in Manchester City's squad, but Kovacic provides the greatest defensive security in the engine room. But the Croatian's return to the starting lineup did not change his team's fortunes against Villa.
RM: Savinio – The Brazilian has been on the bench for the last three games, but his explosive pace and willingness to run straight at defenders could be crucial in breaking down Everton's stubborn low block.
Midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne De Bruyne was surprisingly an unused substitute on Saturday even though Man City are in desperate need of his prowess. Guardiola cannot afford to rest the Belgian on Boxing Day as his team slides into the abyss.
Midfielder: Phil Foden – Foden scored his first goal Premier League Goal of the season with a late consolation at Villa Park but the division's 2023/24 Player of the Year is still far from his best.
Champions League: Jeremy Doku – Similar to Savinho on the other flank, Doku's pace and tenacity could be key to opening up Everton's defence. The Toffees have kept clean sheets away to Arsenal and at home to Chelsea in their last two matches.
Striker: Erling Haaland – The towering Norwegian has scored just one goal in his last six matches, a terrible run by his lofty standards. He had just 18 touches and one shot against Villa as Man City struggle to feed him.
