Manchester City recorded vital back-to-back home wins before Christmas to keep themselves in the hunt for the Premier League title.

Pep Guardiola’s side beat Watford 2-0 and then Arsenal 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium in their final two games before December 25, although they still remain seven points behind league leaders Chelsea.

However, City will take great confidence from their comeback victory over the Gunners last weekend, as Theo Walcott’s early strike was cancelled out by goals from Leroy Sane and the excellent Raheem Sterling.

It means that Guardiola’s side sit third at Christmas, a point behind Liverpool in second but three ahead of Tottenham in fifth, and they’ll go into their Boxing Day clash at Hull hoping for a third successive league triumph.

Mike Phelan’s Hull are bottom of the Premier League having lost 11 of their 17 matches, including four of their last six.

However, they have picked up five points from their last three home games, and will provide a stern test for Guardiola’s men, who themselves have won six of their eight away league matches this season.

With another game against Liverpool coming up on New Year’s Eve, Guardiola may want to shuffle his pack at the KCOM Stadium, so here are THREE players who deserve a chance on Boxing Day…

John Stones

Manchester City have looked better defensively in the last few games, and in that time John Stones has been sat on the bench.

However, given that Guardiola is clearly fond of the former Everton man, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him return against Hull as the manager looks to restore some confidence in the 22-year-old.

The England international has made some defensive errors this season, and has rightly been criticised for it, yet Guardiola has Stones playing the way he wants his defenders to play, so it’s only a matter of time before he returns to the side.

And it could happen on Monday.

Jesus Navas

Hull are likely to provide a tough test for City on Monday, and the visitors may need to stretch the pitch and get the ball wide to have success against the Tigers.

Raheem Sterling looks to have re-found his confidence and was excellent against Arsenal last weekend, and Guardiola may employ Jesus Navas down the other flank at the KCOM Stadium.

Although his final ball often lets him down, it does appear to have improved this season, and was of course the reason for Gary Cahill’s own goal against Chelsea a few weeks ago.

The 31-year-old could give the Hull defence serious issues with his pace on Monday, and it could be an area that wins the game for City.

Nolito

City played with a false-nine against Arsenal at the weekend, with both Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne excelling in the role against the Gunners.

However, Guardiola may move back to a more conventional forward away from home, which could mean that Nolito returns to the starting line-up.

The Spanish international started the 2-0 win over Watford on December 14 but lost his place against Arsenal, yet if Guardiola wants to have an established forward in the side at Hull, he could earn a recall.

Sergio Aguero still has another game in the stands due to his red card against Chelsea at the start of the month, so Nolito must make the most of his chance should he get the nod on Monday.