Manchester City look to keep pace with the Premier League title fight against relegation battling Sheffield United at the Etihad Stadium.
Victory would see Man City climb to second if Aston Villa fail to beat Burnley elsewhere, whilst Sheffield Utd can move off the foot of the table with a win if Burnley lose at Villa Park.
Team News
John Stones is ruled out for Man City after he suffered an ankle injury during their win at Everton.
Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring), Jeremy Doku (muscle) and Erling Haaland (foot) remain ruled out.
Sheffield Utd will be without Anel Ahmedhodzic and Gustavo Hamer due to one-match suspensions, having both picked up their fifth bookings of the season in the Blades’ defeat to Luton on Boxing Day.
Chris Basham (ankle), John Egan (foot), Rhian Brewster, Rhys Norrington-Davies (both hamstring), Tom Davies (thigh) and Daniel Jebbison (illness) are still sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Sheffield Utd at Etihad Stadium in a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 30 December, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man City are unbeaten in their 11 previous Premier League meetings against Sheffield Utd (W8, D3).
- Sheffield Utd are winless in five Premier League visits to Man City (D2, L3).
- Man City are yet to concede at home to Sheffield Utd in the Premier League.
- Jack Grealish has scored in each of Man City’s last two home games (D2).
- Out of the bottom three clubs coming into this matchweek, no team has scored more own-goals than Sheffield Utd (3), albeit a joint league high this season alongside Fulham.
Prediction
Fresh from their FIFA Club World Cup success, Man City were forced to play the long game at Everton with a brilliant second half comeback for a second win in seven league games, which has reignited their title hopes after the top three teams dropped points in the last week.
Pep Guardiola though should be concerned by City’s defence because they just can’t seem to keep clean sheets in the league – with one clean sheet in their last 12 games, which could cost them come end of the season if can’t tighten up soon.
Sheffield Utd meanwhile realistically have little chance of causing a shock but they must sort out their defensive play after two sloppy own-goals handed Luton victory, after having initially fought back to lead the Hatters in a must-win game.
Now if they do that then they should be able to frustrate City but I can see just one result coming because City should be able to control this game comfortably – and in-turn keep a rare clean sheet otherwise Guardiola might need to have a tactical think about his defence.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Sheffield United
Result: Manchester City 2-0 Sheffield United