Riyad Mahrez has been recalled to the starting line-up against Brighton as Pep Guardiola makes one change to the team that beat Leicester on Monday evening.

Phil Foden makes way for the Algerian while Kevin De Bruyne makes the subs bench for today’s crucial Premier League title decider.

READ: Brighton v City: TV listings

READ: Final day talking points

City line-up:

Ederson, Walker, Zinchenko, Kompany (c), Laporte, Gundogan, D Silva, Bernardo, Sterling, Mahrez, Aguero

Subs: Muric, Danilo, Stones. Otamendi, De Bruyne, Sane, Jesus

Brighton XI:

Formation: 4-3-3

City won’t be changing a formation that has already earned 95 points this season.

Vincent Kompany starts his fourth game in succession – his best run of games of the campaign – and his aerial prowess will be key in defending any Brighton set-pieces.

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC : A delighted Vincent Kompany
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC : A delighted Vincent Kompany

Bernardo will take up a more central role alongside David Silva with Ilkay Gundogan anchoring the midfield trio.

Mahrez and Raheem Sterling will support Sergio Aguero in attack.

Mahrez can play crucial role

He may not have started or even featured for the Blues since the Champions League quarter-final first leg loss at Tottenham, but playmaker Riyad Mahrez could have a huge part to play at the Amex Stadium.

The Algerian will have been disappointed not to have featured more in recent weeks, but Pep has been reluctant to tinker with a winning team.

MAIDEN GOAL : Riyad Mahrez scores
MAIDEN GOAL : Riyad Mahrez scores

Experience is clearly the key for this afternoon’s clash and while Phil Foden will be equally disappointed not to be involved today, he knows he has many big games ahead of him in future seasons.

Mahrez will be hungry to play a part in what could be his second Premier League title triumph and his inclusion could be a masterstroke by the boss.

Final countdown

In the movie ‘The Truman Show’, fans of the fake reality TV show wear badges asking, ‘How will it end?’ The final day of the Premier League campaign has that kind of feel about it.

City have worked tirelessly to ensure fate remains in our own hands going into the last match – the bottom line is that the Blues don’t need a favour from anyone going into the game against Brighton.

It is down to us to take care of business and a win will ensure the title remains at the Etihad for another 12 months.

What the future holds once City and Liverpool’s matches kick off remains to be seen – it’s going to be tense for sure and it could be something of a rollercoaster ride.

But above all else, if the Blues win, the title is ours – that’s the scenario we all wanted.

Stats and facts

City have won the last four meetings with Brighton in all competitions, including two this season – a 2-0 Premier League victory and a 1-0 FA Cup semi-final win at Wembley.

The Blues haven’t lost to Brighton since 1989.

The Seagulls have played 11 top-flight matches against reigning champions without winning - more than any other team.

Brighton are without a win in eight matches and have ended their last three top-flight seasons with a defeat, including a 4-0 loss at Liverpool last term.

Ederson could win the coveted Premier League Golden Glove award if he keeps a clean sheet and Allison concedes against Wolves – the pair could share the prize with a clean sheet each or if both concede.

If City win, it will be the first successful defence of a title since Manchester United a decade ago.

The last time...