Preview

Dec

2024

Preview: Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal Take Two

The Eagles and the Gunners go at it for the second time this week, this time in a Premier League clash at Selhurst Park.

By Ian King

Very recent history

Well, we do have something extremely recent to go on here, though how much practical application that might have this weekend is open to question. These two met in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, Arsenal scraping through to the semi-finals of the competition with a 3-2 win. Of course, because this was the League Cup neither team was at full-strength, but Arsenal may have gained a psychological edge as a result of it all.

Form

Wednesday night’s EFL Cup match has to be treated with a little caution as a predictor for what might happen at Selhurst Park on Saturday. Matches in this competition feature changes to teams and may not be treated with quite the intensity that a Premier League fixture might be.

And this was a curate’s egg of a performance for both teams. Arsenal were behind for fifty minutes before coming back to win by a margin somewhat more comfortable than the final scoreline suggested, with changes made at half-time switching the balance of play decisively throughout the second half. Palace played well throughout those opening stages, but Arsenal did create a lot of chances throughout.

Key players

The key player for this weekend’s match is one who hasn’t featured much so far this season. Gabriel Jesus has only been a fringe player, with just two Premier League starts and no League goals, but his hat-trick on Wednesday night, coupled with Arsenal’s inability to find a way past Jordan Pickford last weekend, might make starting him up front feel like a gamble worth taking for Mikel Arteta. It’s a crazy plan, but it might just work.

Team News

For Arsenal, Declan Rice is expected to return this weekend while Martin Ødegaard, who was substituted early against Everton last Saturday, returned on Wednesday night and will be expected to play again this weekend. Neto may return to the bench after being cup-tied, but Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain absent and Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko both remain doubtful.

For Palace, Joel Ward was on the bench as an unused substitute on Wednesday night and may return, but Adam Wharton wasn’t and will not be expected to feature in this match.

Prediction

For Arsenal, last weekend was without question a missed opportunity. With almost everybody else near the top of the table dropping points they could have made up some ground on Liverpool, but instead they fired blanks against Everton and it turned out, if anything, to be Chelsea’s weekend. How much of that will have been forgotten as a result of Wednesday night’s win?

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have blown extremely hot and cold this season, though it should be remembered that their 3-1 win at Brighton last weekend was their best performance of the season so far and that Selhurst Park can be a bearpit on a good night. On this occasion, I feel safer going for the draw, at 1-1, though this really does feel like one of those games in which anything could happen.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Dec

2024

Preview: Villa meet City with both sides in need of a win

Champions League football secured last year, a home match offering the chance to go above Manchester City this year…

By Karl Matchett

In theory that’s magic progression for Aston Villa under Unai Emery, but as ever, context is king: Villa have fallen away from last year’s consistency, won only three of their last 12 in all competitions and have won only half of their home league games this term. And yet, improbably, that’s far better than the champions are faring right now.

In the same stretch of a dozen matches, Pep Guardiola’s side have won only twice. Yet a dozen games precisely reaches back to the start of their recent malaise: a 1-0 home win over bottom club Southampton was 12 games ago, and since then it’s a single win in 11. Home or away, domestic or Europe, Guardiola is going through a spell he never has before as a coach, and certainly this group of players haven’t either.

Heading into the match there’s one more potential item of context to note: almost a full week of training ground time for Man City since their last defeat, that late one to local rivals Man United, which is a first full week of tactical and organisational work Guardiola has been able to do since mid-August. The downside of that is, Villa have also had a full week to prepare.

Form

Narrowing the lens to more recent matches, Villa broke their winless streak by claiming three victories on the bounce against Brentford, Southampton and Leipzig. None are outstanding results but should certainly have boosted confidence, before Nottingham Forest ruined the rebuild with two late goals a week ago. For City, the same team proved a false dawn: they finally picked up a first win in eight against Forest and most expected them to simply pick up again; instead they drew at Palace, lost at Juventus and were utterly shocked by United last week. Confidence will have been at rock bottom right then – how much can it change in six days?

Team news

Jacob Ramsey is the only definite absentee for the hosts, but Leon Bailey is also a doubt. Tyrone Mings could miss the game too but wouldn’t start anyway. For Man City, it’s just the same long-term absentees as has been the case of late: Rodri, Oscar Bobb, Manuel Akanji and now Nathan Aké. John Stones is back though and probably starts.

Key player?

This match hosts the players with the best goals per 90 rate (Jhon Durán) and the best xG (Erling Haaland) but surely victory comes from which defence stands firm for once, after so many errors. No team has missed more big chances (37) than Villa in the league this term, with Ollie Watkins (15) the prime culprit. We’ll make Joško Gvardiol the one to watch as he has most interceptions and tackles per 90 of any City defender, but also has impact going forward.

Prediction

An error-fest of two teams desperate for wins but riddled with anxiety, and in the end, nobody wins: Villa 2-2 Man City!

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Dec

2024

Preview: Spurs meet United in the last of the Carabao Cup quarter-finals

A trophy would mean a lot to both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United with the two rivals going head-to-head for a place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

By Graham Ruthven

Chance to make a statement

There has been a lot of overlap between the respective seasons of Tottenham and Manchester United. Indeed, both teams have struggled for consistency and could use a deep run in the Carabao Cup to prove they are making progress.

Spurs have stood by Ange Postecoglou, but the Australian has come under pressure as his team have suffered a series of damaging results. Sunday’s win over Southampton was Tottenham’s first in five matches.

United, meanwhile, changed manager by swapping Erik ten Hag for Rúben Amorim with the Old Trafford outfit still absorbing the ideas of the Portuguese coach.

Sunday’s Manchester Derby victory was Amorim’s biggest result as Manchester United boss to date. A win over Spurs on Thursday would add to the sense that United are building momentum.

A tale of two attacks

Tottenham are best when they have open space to attack. The likes of Son Heung-min, Brennan Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski all thrive in quick transition and so Spurs will attempt to create as many rapid attacking moments as they can.

Manchester United are similarly set up to attack open space with Amad Diallo in particular thriving under the stewardship of Amorim who has installed the Ivorian as a key figure. He could keep his place for the away game at Spurs, although Amorim has hinted at rotating Diallo.

Rasmus Højlund has scored five goals in his last five outings and has given United the attacking focal point they need to make Amorim’s system work. Around the Dane in the final third, Diallo and Bruno Fernandes have been favoured.

Thursday’s match could be a high-scoring affair with Tottenham scoring two or more goals in each of their last four matches against Manchester United in all competitions.

Team news

Yves Bissouma could return to the Tottenham lineup after serving a one-match suspension against Southampton. He could replace Lucas Bergvall in the side.

Postecoglou has a long injury list to contend with. Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Guglielmo Vicario, Ben Davies, Wilson Odobert and Richarlison are all currently sidelined for Tottenham Hotspur.

Destiny Udogie is also a doubt for the North London outfit after sustaining a knock in the first half of Sunday’s thumping of Southampton. This could push Djed Spence over to the left side of the defence.

Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho could return after being omitted from Manchester United’s matchday squad for Sunday’s win over City, although Amorim clearly has an issue with the pair’s commitment levels.

Mason Mount is a doubt after coming off with a fresh injury against Manchester City, although it’s unclear just how long the midfielder will be out of action for.

Jonny Evans and Noussair Mazrouai are injury concerns ahead of the quarter-final meeting with Tottenham. Luke Shaw is a long-term injury and will be missing.

Prediction

With inconsistency cursing Spurs this season and Manchester United’s burgeoning confidence levels, we could be looking at an away win here; Tottenham 1-2 Manchester United.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Dec

2024

Preview: Shamrock Rovers go to Chelsea in dream Conference League clash

Chelsea host Shamrock Rovers in the Europa Conference League on Thursday as they aim to make it six wins from six games, and secure qualification to the knock-out rounds.

By Alex Roberts

The two sides have never met in European competition before, with Enzo Maresca’s B-team needing just a point to ensure they’re in the next round, so long as Vitória do not beat Fiorentina by a 10-goal margin!

Shamrock Rovers won’t be pushovers, however, not only do they boast the third best defensive record in the competition, but the Dubliners are also one of three unbeaten sides remaining, alongside Chelsea and Vitória.

Missing Mykayhlo Mudryk

Chelsea will be without the rapid Ukrainian winger for the game against Shamrock Rovers and the foreseeable future after he was provisionally suspended for failing a drugs test. He, of course, denies the allegations.

Mudryk had managed to find some form in the Europa Conference League before his latest setback, making six goal contributions in their previous five games, including a stunning strike against FC Heidenheim.

Maresca remains adamant that the winger still has a future at the club but don’t expect to see him in a blue shirt any time soon.

Johnny Kenny scores goals

The young Irish striker has been in outstanding form, netting 13 goals in 29 matches during the 2024 League of Ireland season and adding five goals in five European appearances.

Kenny’s brace against Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Borac Banja Luka puts him on level terms with Chelsea’s £55 million man Christopher Nkunku in the race for the golden boot, while they both have a single assist each too.

No matter who Chelsea play at centre-back, it will likely be the toughest night of Kenny’s short career, but he certainly has it in him to cause problems.

Back in from the cold, Josh Acheampong

Acheampong had previously been frozen out at Chelsea, banned from playing for either the first team or the youth sides until his contract situation was sorted.

The right-back has since made his return, earning his first start for the senior team in Chelsea’s comfortable 3-1 win over FC Astana in the previous round and ended the game as one of the club’s stand out performers.

With a 94% pass accuracy rate, nine recoveries, and six ground duels won, it’s easy to see why Chelsea were so keen to tie the youngster down to a new deal.

Now that he’s committed his long-term future to the club, expect to see more from Acheampong.

Doing Irish football proud

Sitting in sixth with 11 points from their opening five games, Shamrock Rovers face the very real possibility of qualifying for the next round, marking the first time a League of Ireland club has featured in knock-out European football.

They may have lost out on the league title to former Chelsea winger Damien Duff and his Shelbourne FC side, but the Rovers may well get the last laugh.

Prediction

Shamrock Rovers shouldn’t be judged on their performance against the Premier League giants. That been said, we’re going to go with 4-0 to Chelsea.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Dec

2024

Preview: Real Madrid meet Pachuca for the Intercontinental Cup

Pachuca have made their way to the final of the newly-rebranded FIFA Intercontinental Cup, where they face a certain Real Madrid. Exactly two years on from the culmination of the 2022 World Cup, a new champion will be crowned at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

By Neel Shelat

History beckons for Pachuca

This is Pachuca’s fifth appearance at a FIFA-organised international tournament. Most recently, they qualified for the 2017 Club World Cup, in which they won third place.

*Third place playoff, 2017 Club World Cup*

This time, they have managed to go at least one better by reaching their first final. Guillermo Almada’s side will be firm underdogs, but they will have the chance to become the first non-European winners of this tournament in 12 years and the very first to come from CONCACAF.

Record champions Real Madrid looking to lift another trophy

Real Madrid have more UEFA Champions League trophies in their cabinet than anyone else, so they unsurprisingly also are the record champions of the FIFA Club World Cup. They’ve won the title in each of their last five appearances – including three times in succession between 2016 and 2018. They also won the old Intercontinental Cup – the annual showdown between the European and South American club champions – thrice before it made way for the Club World Cup.

Los Blancos have been far from their best this season, but they should have more than enough quality to get the job done here. The new format makes it so that they only have to play one match instead of two, so they need just one result to make sure of avoiding their second trophyless season since 2010.

Pachuca fresh after a shortened season

Pachuca are a pretty successful club in their own right with seven Liga MX titles and six CONCACAF Champions Cup crowns to boot. Of course, they too tasted success earlier this year by winning the continental championship in the summer to qualify for this tournament, but the second half of the season went very poorly for them.

Tuzos recorded their lowest-ever finishing position in the 2024/25 Liga MX Apertura, finishing 16th of 18 teams with just 13 points.

Having failed to qualify for the Liga MX playoffs, Pachuca did not see any competitive action for a month leading up to the Intercontinental Cup. They seemed to benefit from that freshness, though, getting the better of stronger but more tired opponents in Botafogo and Al Ahly to reach this final.

A chance for Real Madrid to continue experimenting

Despite picking up an injury last week, Kylian Mbappé is fit enough to make the squad for this match. So, Carlo Ancelotti might get another opportunity to find a formula that gets the best out of him alongside attacking stars like Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, though he has bigger issues to contend with elsewhere in the side. Defenders Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy are all out injured, so the Italian tactician will have to fashion a second-string back line once again.

Prediction

As is often the case in these tournaments, the gulf in squad quality is big enough for the European side to come out on top even with a subpar performance.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Dec

2024

Preview: Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace Take One

The first part of a pre-Christmas double-header brings together two clubs whose ideas of what constitutes ‘patchy form’ have been somewhat different, so far this season.

By Ian King

Recent H2H record

Arsenal go into their League Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace having won their last four straight games against the Eagles, with the last meeting between the two clubs resulting in a 5-0 blowout at The Emirates Stadium in January. But prior to that, their record had been somewhat patchier, having won just one of their previous eight meetings, going back to October 2018.

League form indicators

Both clubs have had peaks and troughs this season. There are two very different ways of interpreting Arsenal’s recent Premier League form. On the one hand, they’re unbeaten in their last six. But on the other, they’ve only won three of their last nine matches and their last performance, a goalless home draw against Everton on Saturday, hinted at issues in front of goal which may have to be addressed in the January transfer window.

Crystal Palace had an abysmal start to the season, failing to win any of their first eight league games. But they’ve only lost once in the League since beating Spurs in October and last time out they had a both technically excellent and morale-boosting win 3-1 at fierce rivals Brighton.

Ex-Gunner primed to shine?

There’s one potential name on the teamsheet which stands out more than any other. Palace paid Arsenal £25m for Eddie Nketiah in the summer, but he’s only managed one goal for them so far, and that came in their Carabao Cup win against Queens Park Rangers in September. The narrative surely demands that he comes into the Palace team for this match and kick-starts his season against his former club, though how likely that actually is to happen is very much open to question.

Team News

This is the Carabao Cup, so who’ll be taking the pitch for these two teams would be complicated even if injuries weren’t a major factor. Both Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard absences remain a serious concern for Arsenal. Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain as injured as ever, while goalkeeper Neto is cup-tied and Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko both remain highly doubtful. For Palace, Joel Ward and Adam Wharton were in the squad for the Brighton match but whether they’re thrown back in for this match is open to question, while Chadi Riad and Matheus Franca remain injured. Expect changes.

And expect changes again when these two meet in the league this coming weekend.

Prediction

An Arsenal team coming into this match off the back of one of their weakest performances of the season against a Crystal Palace side arriving off their best makes for a match which may turn out to be a tight one. But goals had been something of an issue for Palace up to the last couple of matches, and even if it’s a little makeshift for a match like this in this age of injuries, Arsenal’s defence has been one of the most miserly in the Premier League and I’d still call them for a 1-0 win.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Dec

2024

Preview: Liverpool go to manager-less Saints in the League Cup

Southampton will host Liverpool in the Carabao Cup quarter-final at St Mary’s Stadium on Wednesday evening.

By Matt Smith

The Saints are set to enter a new era with Russell Martin sacked at the weekend, while Liverpool will be hoping to avoid an upset in search of Arne Slot’s first bit of silverware at the club. The last time the two sides met in this competition, Southampton scored a late winner to secure a place in the final, with Shane Long firing them in front in the 90^th minute at Anfield.

No fresh injuries for the Saints

Simon Rusk, who has stepped in as interim manager while Southampton search for a permanent successor to Martin, confirmed that there were no fresh injury updates ahead of the game against Liverpool.

First choice goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has recently been on the treatment table, but it’s unclear whether he’s going to be fit enough to return to action.

Southampton struggling at both ends

Southampton’s form this season, barring a strong run so far in the Carabao Cup, has been incredibly disappointing on their return to the Premier League. The Saints are struggling at both ends of the pitch, with no side scoring fewer goals per game than them, while they also concede 2.3 times per match.

The season stats for the front three who featured in Martin’s final game paint a disturbing picture, contributing just three goals between them during the 2024/2025 Premier League campaign. They are now preparing to face one of the most in-form teams in Europe, so it’s set to be a tough evening for the Saints.

Jota not expected to start

Slot was given a huge boost in the Premier League at the weekend with Diogo Jota making his return to action off the bench, coming on to score a late equaliser.

Slot has confirmed that Jota isn’t expected to start against Southampton as he ‘wasn’t fully fit’ after the game against Fulham. Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to come back into the starting XI, according to the Liverpool boss.

Liverpool’s attack could be too much for the Saints

The Reds have been carving out opportunities at will this season, creating 60 big chances in the Premier League, more than any other side. Containing Mohamed Salah has been an almost impossible task for many, with the Egyptian forward managing 22 goals and assists combined in England’s top flight.

Admirably, Slot has also coached his side superbly defensively, with Liverpool conceding just 0.9 goals per game in the Premier League this season. Only Arsenal have conceded fewer expected goals (xG), so it’s safe to say Southampton and Liverpool have been at opposite ends of the spectrum this term.

Prediction

Considering Liverpool’s phenomenal attacking form and Southampton’s struggles defensively, it’s difficult to see past an away win. The Saints have also found it difficult to hit the back of the net, while the Reds are compact at the back, so a comfortable 3-0 win for Liverpool is our prediction for this one.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Dec

2024

Preview: Barcelona look to extend LaLiga advantage against Leganes

LaLiga leaders Barcelona have been through a recent run which leaves top spot out of their own hands for now, with just one win in five allowing Real Madrid back into the hunt – they do remain one point clear due to Madrid’s draw last night, but Hansi Flick’s side know their rivals still have a game in hand.

By Karl Matchett

All Barca can do for now is continue trying to take maximum points in their own fixtures, with a home match against relegation-threatened Leganés surely a perfect opportunity to rebuild a winning run.

Leganés have been in the second tier for the past four years so there’s not much recent head to head form to speak of, promoted last term after winning La Segunda, but in their squad there remain a handful of notable players including former Schalke star Matija Nastasić and a link to their weekend hosts in forward Munir El Haddadi. The Moroccan left Barca in 2019 after breaking through as a youngster, and while it hasn’t perhaps gone to plan in his career as early expectations suggested, he remains an experienced attacker in the top flight with perhaps a point to prove.

Recent form

After a magnificent start, Flick’s side have taken a hit in league form of late, though a late win at Dortmund in Europe this week was a significant boost. A shock home defeat to Las Palmas only a fortnight ago shows they are not the finished product though and there remains scope for improvement.

As for Leganés, they’ve only won three all season in the top flight and those have all come at home – yet on the road it’s only three defeats in eight, as they prove the draw masters of LaLiga. All the same, they sit 17th after 16 games, with two teams below them having matches in hand. It’s another tough weekend in a tough overall campaign, with goalscoring a particular trouble for them so far.

Team news

Barcelona remain without goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, defender Andreas Christensen, midfielder Marc Bernal and winger Ansu Fati. Raphinha took a knock against Dortmund but could play anyway, as Flick looks to get his team back to winning ways on the domestic front.

Valentin Rosier is absent through suspension for Leganés, while Dani Raba and Enric Franquesa are out injured.

Player to watch

No need to overthink this one – Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal have expectation on them, especially if Raphinha misses out, but it’s a guarantee of goals they need to win the game. Robert Lewandowski already has 16 LaLiga goals this term from an xG of 15; that’s averaging out at better than a goal per 90 minutes, 3.6 shots per 90 and very nearly 2.0 per 90 on target. The Polish attacker is playing a more refined, restricted game under Flick and it’s keeping him in the most dangerous areas of the pitch more often – and he’s coming up with the goods to justify his place and his salary. Keep feeding him chances and Barcelona will more likely than not stay top.

Prediction

We’ll go with a home victory with room to spare. Barcelona 3 Leganés 0.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Dec

2024

Preview: Chelsea and Brentford clash in West London

After securing an impressive comeback win at Tottenham last Sunday, the debate around Chelsea’s place in the title race has raged back and forth and after also extending their perfect Conference League run on Thursday, the Blues will now look to extend their good form against local rivals Brentford.

By Dan Tracey

The Bees have been almost perfect when it comes to this season’s league outings at the GTech Community Stadium but Thomas Frank’s side have been largely forgettable on the road. It’s a conundrum we looked at in detail earlier in the week – in an article you can read here.

*Brentford’s contrasting home and away form*

The Form Guide

Enzo Maresca’s side return to Stamford Bridge having won their last six matches in all competitions and unbeaten in their last nine using the same criteria. Not since their Carabao Cup defeat at Newcastle in October have the Blues been second best when the final whistle blows.

As for opponents Brentford, this season they are a team that Jekyll and Hyde would be most proud of. The Bees have collected an impressive 22 league points from the 24 available at home but have picked up just a single point from the 21 offered on their travels.

Who Are The Key Players

This encounter could well be won by whose strike partnership performs best on the day. The visitors will have to be wary of the 19 league goals that Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson have scored between them this season.

But by comparison, the combined 18 league goals that Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbuemo have bagged should not be overlooked either and although there were fears that Brentford would decline when Ivan Toney cashed in his chips to move to Saudi Arabia, his two former teammates have more than picked up the slack.

Who’s in and who’s out?

After a busy week both home and abroad, Chelsea manager Maresca will ring the changes. Not only because of Pedro Neto’s one-game suspension for five bookings but also due to fitness doubts surrounding the midfield pair of Enzo Fernández and Roméo Lavia.

Brentford will monitor the fitness of Vitaly Janelt before they make the short trip across the capital but he is likely to appear. The same cannot be said for teammate Mathias Jensen who suffered a hamstring injury at the start of the month and is not expected to be fit for this one.

Prediction

Although Chelsea have had to cross continents with their trip to Kazakhstan this week, the additional time in the air should not hamper their bid to beat Brentford on Sunday – especially when you consider just how poor the Bees have been away from home this season.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Dec

2024

Preview: United meet City in the Manchester derby

The Etihad Stadium hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Manchester United in recent times. Indeed, the Red Devils haven’t won at the home of Manchester City since March 2021.

By Graham Ruthven

Sunday’s match, however, presents United with an opportunity to end their winless away run in the derby with City in bad shape.

Pep Guardiola is currently enduring his worst run of form as Manchester City manager. The Premier League champions have lost seven of their last 10 games in all competitions, winning just one. Incredibly, City have conceded more goals since the start of November than any other team in Europe’s Big Five leagues.

Manchester United have also endured their own struggles of late as Rúben Amorim instills his ideas on a team that lacked an identity under Erik ten Hag. However, Thursday’s comeback win over Viktoria Plzeň in the Europa League hinted at a group of players that is starting to fight under their new manager.

Sunday’s Manchester Derby will be one between two teams that have lost their way of late, placing additional significance on the outcome. A win for either side could be the catalyst for them to start a more positive run of form over the winter period.

Key players

Ordinarily, Erling Haaland would be pinpointed as Manchester City’s primary threat such is his standing as the best goalscorer of his generation. However, the Norwegian has scored just once in his last four league appearances and has cut an isolated figure as the English champions have struggled for positive results.

Kevin de Bruyne has started City’s last three matches and has been an important source of creativity in recent weeks. Jack Grealish could also play in central midfield as he did against Juventus.

At the back, Rúben Dias is expected to start in central defence. City need the Portugal international to steady a backline that has been extremely fragile over the last two months.

Manchester United will look to Bruno Fernandes as their creator-in-chief with Ramus Højlund entering Sunday’s match in the midst of a scoring run that has seen the Dane find the back of the net five times in his last four games.

Leny Yoro could start after making his first Premier League appearance in the defeat to Nottingham Forest with Amad Diallo likely to feature in the right wing back position having impressed in Amorim’s first few matches in charge.

Team news

Rodri remains sidelined with the Euro 2024 winner’s absence in the centre of the pitch still being keenly felt by Manchester City. They have nobody else who can do the job of the 28-year-old.

John Stones, Nathan Aké, Mateo Kovačić and Oscar Bobb are also expected to miss Sunday’s Manchester Derby with Phil Foden also a doubt after watching Wednesday’s defeat to Juventus as an unused substitute.

Rico Lewis will serve a one-match suspension after being sent off in last weekend’s 2-2 draw away to Crystal Palace, leaving Guardiola short of another option who can operate in defence and midfield.

Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof will all miss Sunday’s trip to the Etihad Stadium for Manchester United, but Amorim will otherwise have a fully fit squad to choose from.

Prediction

With both defences somewhat depleted or adapting to new circumstances, we’re expecting goals at both ends. So let’s go with a high scoring draw; Manchester City 2-2 Manchester United.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.