Manchester City will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Sheffield United on Tuesday night in Matchweek 24 of the English Premier League.
Manchester City will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Sheffield United on Tuesday night in Matchweek 24 of the English Premier League.
Manchester City will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Sheffield United on Tuesday night in Matchweek 24 of the English Premier League.
City’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace over the weekend put another nail in the coffin of their title defence, as Liverpool stretched their lead to 16 points with a 2-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday.
Whatever goes up must come down, and that is exactly what is happening to this Manchester City side. Pep Guardiola’s men dropped points in only eight of 76 games across their past two Premier League campaigns, but they have already equalled that tally in 23 matches this term.
Although Man City will fall short in their quest for a third consecutive Premier League crown, all is not lost. The Citizens are still genuine contenders in all three cup competitions that they are taking part in, meaning Guardiola will have one eye on this weekend’s FA Cup clash with Fulham.
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Sheffield United also had to share the spoils last weekend, making a late rally to draw 1-1 with Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.
With four points from their last two league games, the Blades are seventh in the Premier League standings on 33 points – two points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in eighth place and a distant 15 points behind Manchester City.
With more than half of the season gone by, this is a remarkable achievement by Sheffield United on their return to the Premier League after a 12-year absence.
Currently boasting the second-best defensive record in the league after Liverpool, Chris Wilder’s side will give City a hell of a fight.
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Striker David McGoldrick is a major doubt for Tuesday night’s encounter having missed the draw with Arsenal due to a foot injury. This means that Lys Mousset could be paired again with Oli McBurnie upfront.
Other than that, the Blades have a relatively clean bill of health ahead of City’s visit.
Aymeric Laporte seems to have recovered from a nasty knee injury suffered earlier in the season, with the French defender expected to be fully ready for action this weekend in the FA Cup.
Leroy Sane, who has yet to feature in the Premier League this season, has also recovered from a knee injury, although the forward won’t be making a return until next month.
John Stones is a major doubt after the England defender injured his knee during the draw against Palace, while French fullback Benjamin Mendy has muscle fatigue.
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Sergio Aguero is currently Manchester City’s joint-leading scorer with 20 goals in all competitions. Having missed several weeks with a thigh injury, the Argentine has returned to score seven goals in his last four appearances.
However, given the Citizens are now expected to prioritise other competitions following their draw with Palace, Gabriel Jesus looks set to start in place of Aguero against the Blades.
Having scored 14 goals across the board in a season that has seen his game-time restricted due to Aguero’s fiery form, it’s safe to say that the Brazilian will take his chance by the scruff of the neck.
Pep Guardiola takes great pride in his team’s attacking might. The Citizens have scored two or more goals in their last 11 games in all competitions.
Nevertheless, they will be going up against a Sheffield United side that seldom concedes. The Blades are sharp at home and will cut down City’s attacks more often than not.
Prediction: Total match goals under 2.5 – +125 at Nags.bet
Manchester City 2-0 Sheffield United (December 29, 2019)
Sergio Aguero 52’
Kevin De Bruyne 82’