John Stones is expected to miss out as Manchester City host Manchester United at the Etihad on Sunday. The centre-back was forced off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury while playing for England against Germany during the international break and while there has been no confirmation of the issue, it is unlikely he features in the derby.

Better news for City is that Aymeric Laporte has taken part in first-team training, with the centre-back yet to play this season after undergoing knee surgery in the summer. He is closing in on a return, though this weekend will come too soon. Kalvin Phillips is a longer-term absentee, and he faces a race to recover from shoulder surgery in time for the World Cup. While Manuel Akanji has been impressive since arriving from Borussia Dortmund, Nathan Ake could be the preferred partner for Ruben Dias in defence. Kyle Walker missed the trip to Wolves before the international break but is fully fit again.

Phil Foden will be hoping to continue his run of starting every Premier League match this season, though Jack Grealish’s goal against Wolves may not be enough to keep him in the side. A key decision for Pep Guardiola comes in midfield, with Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva competing for a spot alongside Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne. Should Gundogan get the nod, Silva will likely play in the front three with Grealish on the bench.

Erling Haaland gets his first taste of a Manchester derby, with 11 league goals to his name already. Bournemouth are the only side in either the Premier League or Champions League to stop him scoring this season.

Predicted Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Foden, Silva, Haaland.

David Beckham believes that Manchester United are in a very fine form right now and should be able to hurt this high-flying Man City side.