Manchester City will be looking to strike an early blow in the Premier League title race when they welcome champions Liverpool to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola's men go into the weekend sitting 10th in the table and with only two wins from their last five league games, but victory would take them to within two points of Liverpool with a game in hand.

The Citizens have begun to hit their stride after an underwhelming start to the season too, winning their last three across all competitions without conceding a goal.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how the hosts could line up for the blockbuster showdown.

Out: Sergio Aguero (thigh), Benjamin Mendy (muscle), Fernandinho (leg)
Doubtful: None

> Click here for Manchester City's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Manchester City will once again be without their all-time record goalscorer Sergio Aguero for this match, with Guardiola confirming in his press conference that the Argentine will not be back until after the international break.

City have been boosted by the return of Gabriel Jesus, though, with the Brazilian making a goalscoring comeback off the bench during Tuesday's Champions League win over Olympiacos.

Jesus is likely to be put straight back into the starting lineup for this one, and if so it could see Ferran Torres drop out despite his good recent form. Riyad Mahrez being dropped to the bench and Torres moving out wide right is another option which Guardiola will be considering.

Benjamin Mendy and Fernandinho remain absent for this match, but Guardiola was able to rest a number of usual starters in midweek and so there will be changes for this contest.

Rodri and centre-back pairing Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias are expected to come back into the starting lineup, while Joao Cancelo's goal off the bench is likely to have earned him a start at left-back.

Phil Foden will be pushing for a start as usual, but may have to settle for a place on the bench once again.

> Click here to see how Liverpool could line up for this contest