There is a sense of normalcy finally returning to the sky-blue side of Manchester, with City looking for a fourth straight win in all competitions.
After securing back-to-back Premier League wins either side of New Year's Day, City produced a performance and result from their ruthless vintage at the weekend, dispatching Salford 8-0 in the third round of the FA Cup.
Saturday's triumph is not a great indication that City will soon be challenging again, but there is no denying that high spirits are beginning to return to the Etihad. Pep Guardiola may have some shiny new toys to play with before the month is out.
Then it's a trip to the middle of the table Brentford team on Tuesday night. Here's how City can line up at Gtech.
GK: Stefan Ortega – It looks like Ortega has claimed the number one job with Ederson starting in the cup on Saturday. That was the German's job.
RB: Rico Lewis – Kyle Walker may have already played his last game for the club Guardiola confirms the veteran defender wants to leave. Lewis is his successor.
CB: Manuel Akanji – The Swiss defender is an option for Guardiola at right-back, but he will start in the center for now while John Stones and Ruben Dias are out.
CB: Nathan Ake Guardiola desperately needs Ake to stay fit given City's precarious injury situation at the heart of their defence. The Sky Blues are a better side with the Dutchman in the XI.
LB: Josko Guardiol It's been a mixed season for Guardiol so far, and he would have enjoyed his breather at the weekend ahead of a busy end to January.
CM: Mateo Kovacic – City currently lack a dominant defensive transition with Rodri out, so Brentford will relish their counter-attacking chances through Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. Expect Kovacic to make some tactical mistakes at the base of midfield.
RM: Savinho – The Brazilian has come into his own in a City shirt and it would be no surprise if he switched sides in west London given his recent success on the left.
AM: Kevin De Bruyne – De Bruyne is certainly not the player he once was, but he will benefit from the weekend off in Tuesday's game. The Belgian is still capable of picking apart a deep and compact defence, with his long-range ball a potential source of goals on Tuesday.
AM: Phil Foden – While De Bruyne provides the destruction, Foden provides the subtlety and finesse needed to operate in and around Brentford's deep defensive block. The Englishman scored in his previous Premier League outing.
Champions League: Jeremy Doku – After recording a brace at the weekend, Doc should retain his place in Guardiola's XI despite Jack Grealish finally breaking his goal drought from the spot.
ST: Erling Haaland – Divin Mubama is unlikely to steal any minutes from Haaland during the second half of the season, but potential new arrival Omar Marmoush can. The Nordic striker was superb in the reverse fixture, scoring twice as Brentford opened the scoring within 22 seconds.