Manchester City will travel to Sheffield United for their next Premier League game on Sunday afternoon, looking to continue their impressive start to the campaign with a victory away from home.
Manchester City, who face Sheffield United on Sunday, have won their first two Premier League matches against Burnley and Newcastle United. They will be fairly confident of picking up another victory against the newly-promoted side this weekend.
On the other hand, Sheffield United are coming into this game on the back of consecutive defeats against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest. Expectations would not have been high heading into the new season, and the Blades need a swift turnaround to change their fortunes.
Manchester City are certainly a far stronger opposition, and this is likely to be a tough challenge for them. The home fans will be expecting a fightback from the players here and it remains to be seen whether they can contain the likes of Erling Haaland on Sunday.
Team News & Tactics
Sheffield United
Paul Heckingbottom has a number of injury problems getting into this game. And Sheffield United will be without John Fleck, Rhian Brewster, Ismaila Coulibaly, Jayden Bogle, Ben Slimane and Rhys Norrington-Davis this weekend.
The home side are likely to shape up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Wes Foderingham in goal. In the back three, Anel Ahmedhodzic will start alongside John Egan and Jack Robinson. Ben Osborn and Yasser Larouci should start as the wing-backs. The two players will look to help out offensively and cover the central defenders.
In the middle of the park, Oliver Norwood will start alongside Vinicius Souza. The two players will look to shield the defensive unit and break up the opposition attacks. Gustavo Hamer and Benie Traore will be deployed as the attacking midfielders here, and they will look to create goal-scoring opportunities for the hosts. Finally, William Osula will leave the line for Sheffield United.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Egan, Robinson; Osborn, Norwood, Souza, Larouci; Hamer, Traore; Osula
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola is without Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones ahead of the trip to Bramall Lane this weekend. But the Manchester City boss otherwise has a full-strength squad at his disposal.
The visitors, are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Ederson Moraes in goal. Kyle Walker and Josko Gvardiol are likely to be the full-backs, and they will look to keep the defensive unit compact and help out offensively.
In the heart of the defence, Manuel Akanji will start alongside Ruben Dias. The midfield pivot pretty much picks itself, with Rodri starting alongside Mateo Kovacic. While the Spaniard will look to break up the opposition attacks, Kovacic will look to control the tempo of the game and dominate proceedings in the middle of the park.
Jack Grealish and Phil Foden will be deployed as the wingers here, and they will look to provide creativity and width to the side. Finally, Julian Alvarez is likely to start as the central attacking midfielder behind Erling Haaland.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Foden, Alvarez, Grealish; Haaland
Key Stats
- Manchester City have won 14 of their last 16 matches in the Premier League.
- Manchester City have been winning at both half-time and full-time in nine of their last 12 matches in the Premier League.
- Manchester City have kept a clean sheet in their last five matches against Sheffield United in all competitions.
- Sheffield United have failed to score in five of their last five meetings against Manchester City.
Player to Watch
Erling Haaland
The Norwegian striker has been exceptional since his move to the Premier League, and he will look to exploit Sheffield United’s defensive vulnerabilities. And after failing to find the back of the net last time out against Newcastle United, he will be raring to find the back of the net.
Haaland has already scored twice in the Premier League this season and will look to add to his tally against Sheffield United. The 23-year-old is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, and he is in scintillating form right now. The Norwegian international is our player to watch out for.
Prediction
Sheffield United 0-2 Manchester City
Manchester City are undoubtedly a far better team, and they will be the favourites heading into this contest. They will be full of confidence after winning their first two league matches and should be able to grind out all three points here as well.
Sheffield United are already lacking in form and confidence after a poor start to the campaign and are likely to come up short once again. A comfortable 2-0 away win is on the cards for the Premier League champions.
