Most notably, top scorer Sergio Aguero drops to the bench as Kelechi Iheanacho is instead picked to lead the line as part of a 3-1-5-1 formation.

Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones keep their places in the back three alongside the returning Gael Clichy, as Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov drop down to the bench.

Fernandinho will operate just in front of the backline, while in midfield, Leroy Sane earns his first Premier League start of the season and Ilkay Gundogan is recalled alongside Raheem Sterling and David Silva.

De Bruyne, who has been out for several weeks with a hamstring injury, returns to provide support for Iheanacho up front.

For visiting Everton, Ronald Koeman makes just the one change from the side that drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace before the international break as he prepares to face former Barcelona teammate Guardiola for the first time in management.

Gerard Deulofeu comes back into the attack alongside Yannick Bolasie and Romelu Lukaku, with Ross Barkley the man to make way.

Manchester City: Bravo; Clichy, Otamendi, Stones; Fernandinho; Sterling, Silva, Gundogan, Sane; De Bruyne; Iheanacho
Subs: Caballero, Kompany, Zabaleta, Nolito, Kolarov, Fernando, Aguero

Everton: Stekelenburg; Oviedo, Jagielka, Williams, Coleman; Barry, Gana, Cleverley; Deulofeu, Bolasie, Lukaku
Subs: Robles, Barkley, Mirallas, McCarthy, Valencia, Funes Mori, Holgate

Keep up with all the action from the Etihad this afternoon with Sports Mole's live text commentary here.