Key events
One of tonight’s subplots is the race for the Premier League golden boot. Erling Haaland leads the way with 25 goals; the only man with a chance of catching him is Brentford’s Igor Thiago.
Team news
Pep Guardiola makes two changes to his Manchester City side. Nathan Ake and Tiijani Reinders replace Abdukodir Khusanov (who isn’t in the squad) and Nico Gonzalez.
Keith Andrews also makes a couple of changes. Aaron Hickey and Kristoffer Ajer come in for Sepp van den Berg and Dango Ouattara.
Manchester City (4-2-3-1) Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Ake, O’Reilly; Bernardo, Reijnders; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.
Subs: Trafford, Dias, Stones, Marmoush, Kovacic, Nico, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Foden.
Brentford (4-3-3) Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Hickey; Damsgaard, Yarmoliuk, Jensen; Schade, Thiago, Lewis-Potter.
Subs: Valdimarsson, Van den Berg, Pinnock, Henderson, Dasilva, Nelson, Ouattara, Janelt, Furo.
Referee Michael Salisbury.
Pre-match reading
In which Harry Paterson previews the last lap of an intriguing title race.
Preamble
“Next time, there’ll be no next time.” The point of no return. Do or die. The last-chance saloon. Endgame tavern. Jeopardy Dread Wetherspoons.
However you want to describe it, Manchester City are in the position all sports teams fear: knowing they have no margin for error.
City lost control of the title race during their madcap 3-3 draw at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday. If they fail to beat Brentford at the Etihad tonight, it’ll be all over bar the tweeting.
Though City are strong favourites, they will be wary of an impressive, overachieving opponent. Brentford might be the only regular Premier League team who have never suffered a pasting at the hands of Pep Guardiola – none of their defeats have been by more than two goals.
Goal difference could still decide the title, so City would love to change chat tonight. But the most important thing, by far, is that they don’t slip up again.
Kick off 5.30pm.