Manchester City look to avoid a shock upset as they welcome rock-bottom Sheffield United to the Etihad Stadium.
Victory will see Man City secure top spot for a second consecutive matchweek, whereas Sheffield Utd could move off the bottom of the league with a shock win if West Brom lose to Fulham elsewhere.
Team News
Man City have no fresh injury concerns to report after Tuesday’s mauling of West Brom at The Hawthorns.
Nathan Ake (muscle), Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring) and Sergio Aguero (Coronavirus) remains ruled out.
Sheffield Utd will welcome John Egan back from suspension.
Oli McBurnie, Ben Osborn, Enda Stevens (all knock), Jack Robinson (unspecified), Sander Berge (hamstring) and Jack O’Connell (knee) are all sidelined.
Stat Attack
- Man City are unbeaten in nine previous Premier League meetings against Sheffield Utd (W6, D3).
- Sheffield Utd have won have failed two previous trips to the Etihad Stadium (D1, L1).
- City have kept clean sheets in eight of nine previous Premier League clashes against the Blades.
- Two of David McGoldrick’s five league goals for the Blades this season have come from headers.
- Man City have won three of last four matches against Sheffield Utd by 1-0 results dating back to December 2006, with the only exception in that run being a 2-0 home win in December 2019.
Prediction
City survived a early dose of defending at West Brom because once they hit their stride, they were just amazing to watch with their clinical play even though Joao Cancelo’s goal should of been ruled offside in my opinion.
Sheffield Utd on the other hand went to Old Trafford and played without fear because they constantly soaked up Manchester United’s waves of attack before taking their own chances well on top of their creative passing play and pressure around the box causing serious issues for the hosts.
This though will be a whole different game given City’s quality and form but if Chris Wilder’s Blades continue to build confidence and take their chances, they well could cause a surprise but given their poor form in this top flight fixture I don’t see another shock coming but should be a respectable loss.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Sheffield United
Result: Manchester City 1-0 Sheffield United
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