Manchester City will take on Sheffield United at the Etihad on Saturday, looking to keep up with the league leaders.
Manchester City will look to get their title challenge back on track when they welcome Sheffield United to the Etihad on Saturday afternoon. The hosts are coming into this game on the back of a superb win over Everton, and Pep Guardiola will want his players to put together a winning run now.
The reigning Premier League champions are fourth in the league table. But they have managed just two victories from their last six league outings and will need to improve to retain the title. Meanwhile, Sheffield United are at the bottom of the league table with just one win from the last six league matches.
They are going through a rough patch and will need to bounce back strongly to preserve their status as a Premier League club next season. This is going to be a tough challenge for Sheffield United away from home, and it remains to be seen whether they can pull off an upset.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester City
The home team have a few major injury concerns getting into this game. John Stones picked up an ankle injury against Everton, and he is the latest absentee. But Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring), Jeremy Doku (muscle injury), and Erling Haaland (foot) remain unavailable.
They are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Ederson Moraes in goal. Kyle Walker and Josko Gvardiol will continue as the full-backs and they will look to help out in the attack and protect the centre-backs. Manuel Akanji will start alongside Ruben Dias at the heart of the defence.
In the midfield pivot, Rodri will start alongside Mateo Kovacic. The Croatian international will look to control the tempo of the game, while the Spaniard will look to break up opposition attacks and win the ball back for his side.
Phil Foden will start in the central attacking midfield role, with Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish on either side of him. Finally, Julian Alvarez is likely to lead the line for Manchester City against Sheffield United on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Rodri; Silva, Foden, Grealish; Alvarez
Sheffield United
The away side are without Chris Basham (ankle), John Egan (ankle), and Tom Davies (hamstring) because of their respective injuries. Gustavo Hamer and Anel Ahmedhodzic are suspended after accumulating five yellow cards. Meanwhile, James McAtee is set to miss out as well as he is ineligible to face his parent club.
The visitors will shape up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Wes Foderingham in goal. George Baldock and Luke Thomas will start as the full-backs. They will look to protect the central defenders and help out during transitions. Auston Trusty will start at the heart of the defence alongside Jack Robinson.
In the wide areas, Jayden Bogle and Cameron Archer will add pace and flair to the side. Oliver Norwood will start in the central midfield alongside Vinicius Souza. Both players will look to add defensive cover and control to the side. Finally, Rhian Brewster will start in the strike partnership alongside Oliver McBurnie.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Foderingham; Baldock, Trusty, Robinson, Thomas; Bogle, Norwood, Souza, Archer; Brewster, McBurnie
Key Stats
- Manchester City have kept a clean sheet in their last six home matches against Sheffield United in all competitions.
- Manchester City have won their last six matches against Sheffield United in all competitions.
- Sheffield United have conceded 13 goals in their last six outings.
- Manchester City has scored 10 goals in their last six meetings against Sheffield United.
Player to Watch
Julian Alvarez
The 23-year-old Argentine international has stepped up in the absence of Erling Haaland, and he has been in fine form recently. Alvarez has scored three goals in his last two outings for Manchester City, and he is our key player to watch out for.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner could cause all sorts of problems for the Sheffield United defence with his creativity, linkup play and movement in the final third. Expect Alvarez to wreak havoc this weekend
Prediction
Manchester City 3-0 Sheffield United
Manchester City have an impressive head-to-head record against Sheffield United, and they have picked up comprehensive victories against the Blades in their last few outings. And Saturday’s encounter is unlikely to be any different.
Although Manchester City have not been at their best, the gulf in class between the two sides is enormous. Sheffield United are completely devoid of confidence and form right now, and they are likely to crash to yet another defeat here. The Hard Tackle predicts Manchester City to cruise to a 3-0 win over Sheffield United.