Manchester City welcome Sheffield United to the Etihad Stadium as the Citizens look to close the gap to Liverpool in the title race.
A win for Man City will keep them within a point of second-placed Leicester whilst Sheffield United could go sixth depending on results elsewhere.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesEderson is suspended for Manchester City after being sent off during their defeat against Wolves on Friday.
John Stones (hamstring), David Silva (knock) and Gabriel Jesus (illness) are all expected to return, whilst Sergio Aguero could start after being subbed early on following Ederson’s dismissal.
Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane remain ruled out with long-term knee injuries.
Sheffield United have no fresh injury concerns as Simon Moore faces a late fitness test on a groin injury, which kept him sidelined for their Boxing Day draw against Watford.
Stat Attack
- Manchester City are unbeaten in four of their last five meetings against Sheffield United in all competitions (W2, D2, L1).
- Sheffield United are yet to win a Premier League meeting against the Citizens in six attempts (D3, L3), with two of their three draws coming away at City.
- Man City are unbeaten in their last 10 home games against Sheffield United in all competitions (W5, D5).
- No Sheffield United player this season has produced more crosses than Oliver Norwood, who has produced 88 crosses in 19 appearances this season.
- Ederson is the Premier League goalkeeper to have been sent off away from home this season.
Prediction
After suffering late heartache at Wolves on Friday, Man City need to come out and produce a strong performance because Sheffield United will be up for this given that they would of had 72 hours rest.
Substituting Aguero after Ederson’s red card probably was Guardiola’s wisest decision because he needs to be their main threat here, especially if the Blades manage to get control of the flanks and force City to play down the middle which is what they have done to many teams this season.
I therefore can see a dicey game of cat and mouse here because City have the stronger quality but Sheffield United have the fresher legs so it is easy to see a draw here but I can sense a shock away win.
Prediction: Manchester City 1-2 Sheffield United
Result: Manchester City 2-0 Sheffield United