Manchester City are potentially just two matches away from losing a quartet of players during the hectic festive season.

City have won just one match in their last ten games in all competitions and sit eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool in the Premier League. On Sunday, they welcome Manchester United to the Etihad Stadium with the Blues not only desperate for bragging rights but an important three points as well to boost their season.

As always, the fixtures are coming thick and fast in the run-up to Christmas and Pep Guardiola will be wanting to keep as many of his players available as possible. However, should Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Mateo Kovacic or Ederson pick up two yellow cards between now and the 19th match of the Premier League season, they will pick up one-match bans.

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Bernardo Silva is walking an even finer tightrope as he will be suspended should he pick up just one more booking before match 19. Fortunately, the limit for yellow card suspensions is cut-off on matchday 19 which for City is on December 29 away at Leicester City.

After that, players will need to avoid ten yellow cards before the 33rd match of the season. Should they reach this unfortunate milestone, they will receive a two-match ban in the Premier League.

Victory in the Manchester derby would set City up well for a further three matches before the year comes to an end. After being knocked out of the Carabao Cup, the Blues have a less congested fixture list than had been feared and Guardiola will hope this extra rest will pay dividends for his team.