Premier League champions Manchester City will need to assess defender Nathan Ake ahead of Sunday's clash against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.

The 28-year-old has missed the last three matches in all competitions with a hamstring injury and it remains to be seen whether he will be fit to return to the matchday squad against his former club this weekend, although Guardiola did state earlier this week that the Dutchman is feeling "much better".

Following Man City's thumping 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals, including Wednesday's 4-0 second-leg victory at the Etihad, Guardiola and co have five more fixtures to prepare for in all tournaments this season, including their final, albeit meaningless, three in the Premier League within the space of eight days.

With that in mind, Guardiola is likely to consider rotating his side in a few positions, with Aymeric Laporte potentially one who could be handed a start in defence at the expense of either Manuel Akanji or Kyle Walker.

Lynchpin Rodri has played more minutes than any other Man City player so far this season, but he could continue in centre-midfield along with John Stones who has excelled when stepping into the middle of the pitch.

Julian Alvarez started City's last Premier League game away against Everton last weekend, but he may be replaced by playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who will be hoping to line up in an advanced midfield role alongside in-form captain Ilkay Gundogan, who has scored four goals in his last two top-flight matches.

Riyad Mahrez scored the only goal in a 1-0 away victory over Chelsea earlier this season and the Algerian, along with Phil Foden, will push Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish for a start on the flanks, while goal machine Erling Braut Haaland is set to continue to lead the line.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte; Stones, Rodri; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland

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