Manchester City desperately need to get back to winning ways when they host Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Citizens saw their lead at the top cut to just a point after losing for the first time this season against Tottenham Hotspur a fortnight ago.

Guardiola’s boys were unable to find a way past a Spurs side who harried and pressured them, with Aleksandar Kolarov unlucky to score an own-goal before Dele Alli coolly slotted home before half-time.

While it was a wake-up call for City, they can at least be reassured by the fact the result may have been different had Kevin De Bruyne been fit, with the Belgian rated as having an outside chance of facing Everton.

Guardiola has also had two weeks to identify what went wrong at White Hart Lane and tweak his side to get three points at the weekend.

With that in mind, here is the starting XI we expect to beat Everton.

GOALKEEPER – CLAUDIO BRAVO

The Chilean is a certainty to start in goal for Pep Guardiola’s side.

The City manager clearly favours the Chilean for his ability to play with the ball at his feet and build from the back.

The ex-Barcelona man needs to repay this faith, with Joe Hart showing what City are missing with a standout performance against Slovenia last night.

While he was shaky on his debut against in the Manchester derby, Bravo has since looked slightly more assured in goal.

But he will have to improve his decision-making and distribution after giving the ball away too often against Spurs.

RIGHT BACK – PABLO ZABALETA

With Bacary Sagna sidelined until November, Pablo Zabaleta has a chance to stake his place.

The Argentine needs to prioritise his defensive work first and foremost after being beaten too often by Son, Alli et al against Spurs.

The 31-year-old doesn’t look as dynamic as he was a couple of seasons ago and will be given a torrid time by Yannick Bolasie if he isn’t careful.

CENTRE-BACK – JOHN STONES

It remains to be seen how John Stones’ City career will play out, with the the 22-year-old putting in mixed performances for club and country.

Stones looked assured against a tame Malta side but was again exposed when England played Slovenia.

Playing Everton for the first time since his record £47m move, Stones is another who needs to focus on his defending rather than overplaying the ball.

What Stones needs is a man of Vincent Kompany guiding him through. For now though, the ball-playing defender must focus on getting through games without taking unnecessary risks.

CENTRE-BACK – NICOLAS OTAMENDI

While some of the criticism that has come his way has been unfair, Otamendi looks likely the be the man to make way when Kompany is eventually fit again.

The Argentine was a warrior for Valencia but hasn’t looked as assured for City, particularly in the loss against Spurs.

Otamendi chased and hacked the men in white, making you wondered if he was going to finish the game after getting booked early on.

The centre-back looks more confident when City are on top, however, and will need to be more dominant against the Toffees.

LEFT BACK – GAEL CLICHY

It’s fair to say Kolarov has had a bit of a nightmare of late.

First he missed a clearance to allow a Celtic goal in the Champions League, then he put the ball into his own net to give Spurs the lead in his last appearance.

Kolarov looked reasonable at the start when Guardiola played him at centre-back but has since shown the frailties.

What the Citizens need is someone solid and dependable. Clichy is that type of player and it is worth noting the Frenchman played at left-back during their only clean sheet in the league this season.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD – FERNANDINHO

One man who has looked dependable all season is Fernandinho.

The Brazilian midfielder must be one of the first names on the team sheet after his brilliant start to the season.

Few players in the City side get through as much work as the 31-year-old, whose diligent defending allows both David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne to join the attack.

He will probably have to nullify the threat of Ross Barkley, while also helping to start City attacks.

DAVID SILVA

If Fernandinho’s name is written on the team sheet, David Silva’s should be permanently embossed.

The Spaniard is the archetypal Guardiola player; small, great on the ball and able to dictate the rhythm of the game.

One way the Spaniard could improve on is his scoring record, although on Saturday his manager will be happy if he is able to keep the ball moving against Gareth Barry and Idrissa Gueye.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD – KEVIN DE BRUYNE

De Bruyne is facing a race against time to be fit for Saturday’s game.

The Belgian pulled up at the end of the Swansea game with a hamstring injury and his absence was telling as City failed to score for the first time this season against Spurs.

If De Bruyne has any chance of being fit, he has to play. The 25-year-old has the most assists in the league with four and also has two goals to his name, showing how important he is to the City attack.

RIGHT WING – RAHEEM STERLING

Another man who has been essential for City this season, Sterling will need to be on top form against Everton.

If Leighton Baines misses out again through injury, the England man will fancy his chances against whoever deputises, whether it be Bryan Oviedo or somebody else.

Sterling will also have to track back should Zabaleta have his hands full with Bolasie, but his key duty will be getting into the box to make – or finish – chances.

LEFT WING – NOLITO

Nolito was extremely foolish to get himself sent off against Bournemouth.

The Spaniard has just completed a three-match ban after clashing heads with the Cherries’ Adam Smith.

Available for selection, Nolito should start ahead of Leroy Sane and Jesus Navas so they can take advantage of his superior finishing.

The 29-year-old has four goals in all competitions so far and could find opportunities to score again against an Everton side that give most of their chances away on the flanks.

STRIKER – SERGIO AGUERO

Simply put: if Aguero is fit, he has to play.

There were a lot of fears for the Argentine after he reportedly suffered a calf injury on international duty, but he had since declared himself fit and played the full match against Paraguay.

While he struggled in Argentina’s 1-0 loss, Aguero has been in lethal form for City and is the Premier League’s top scorer.

If the 28-year-old is tired then Kelechi Iheanacho is a viable replacement.