Riyad Mahrez has been rested for Manchester City’s game at Nottingham Forest.

Pep Guardiola’s formation change has reaped rewards against Aston Villa and Arsenal with a trip to the City Ground coming at a bad time for the hosts, who are short on central defenders.

Erling Haaland has appeared to enjoy the tactical switch, along with Jack Grealish and Mahrez, as they helped bag a crucial 3-1 win over Arsenal in midweek.

Bernardo Silva has slotted in as a meandering left-back in this fluid 4-3-3/3-4-3 system, which he continues to do today.

City play after the Gunners so could find themselves back in second place at kick-off, meaning any rotations are likely to be minimal even with RB Leipzig coming up next week in the Champions League.

John Stones remains out with a thigh injury, but is making progress in his recovery.

“He’s getting better,” Guardiola said on Friday. “For tomorrow - no.”

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Bernardo, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Foden, Grealish, Haaland

Subs: Ortega Moreno, Phillips, Ake, Alvarez, Gomez, Akanji, Mahrez, Palmer, Lewis