PEP’S PREDICTED MAN CITY XI FOR EVERTON CLASH REVEALED
Man City injury boost vs. Everton! Four players could return, easing Pep Guardiola's concerns. Rodri is doubtful. Predicted lineup features Haaland, Foden, Doku, and Bernardo Silva. Full team news and match preview for the Premier League clash.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Up to four players could return for Saturday's Premier League matchup against Everton at the Etihad Stadium, which would be encouraging for Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
Both Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush (knee) have returned to first-team training following injury absences, and the Citizens pair may play in some form against the Toffees.
Rodri is a serious doubt for this weekend due to a hamstring issue that kept him out of training on Thursday, while Abdukodir Khusanov (calf) may also return to the matchday squad.
Rayan Cherki watched as an unused substitute after missing the previous seven games due to a thigh injury, and Rodri suffered his injury in the first half of Man City's 1-0 victory over Brentford before the international break.
Although Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders are likely to be preferred by Guardiola for attacking midfield positions, Cherki should be able to play against Everton. Meanwhile, captain Bernardo Silva is expected to compete with Oscar Bobb and Savinho for a starting position on the right wing.
Jeremy Doku, who started as a substitute against Brentford, is hoping to make a comeback to Man City's starting lineup after showing promise during the international break for Belgium.
Erling Haaland, the Premier League Player of the Month for September, will likely spearhead the Citizens' attack. The prolific Norwegian scored the single goal in the victory at Brentford and has nine league goals in just seven games this season.
Nico O'Reilly will try to hold onto his position at left-back, while Nico Gonzalez or the returning Mateo Kovacic will likely play as a deep-lying midfielder in front of the central defence pair Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol in Rodri's anticipated absence.
If Khusanov is unable to play, either Rico Lewis or Matheus Nunes will be expected to start at right-back, and goalie Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to start in goal again before James Trafford.
Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly, Gonzalez, Bernardo, Foden, Reijnders, Doku, and Haaland are all potential starters for Manchester City.
DISCIPLINARY BLOW: MADRID PLAYER SUSPENDED POST EL CLáSICO TUSSLE
Real Madrid's backup keeper Andriy Lunin has been handed a one-game suspension by the RFEF for his aggressive conduct on the bench during the heated final moments of El Clásico. Real Madrid's appeal was rejected.
El Clásico Scuffle - Photo Credit Getty Images
Los Blancos' goalie Andriy Lunin has been suspended for one game by the RFEF Disciplinary Committee for his involvement in the sideline dramas during the El Clásico's final moments. Although the cameras did not catch it, referee Soto Grado did record that he had sent the Ukrainian off.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the RFEF responded as follows when asked why Lunin received a red card.
The reason for Lunin, Andrii's expulsion in the 90th minute was that he had to be restrained by his teammates after he walked aggressively from his bench to the blonde bench.
The disciplinary committee of the RFEF
"When considered significant, those whose behaviour violates sporting order will be suspended for four to ten games or fined between 602 and 3,006 euros."
Because of Lunin's actions, which constituted a minor violation of the sporting order, he was suspended for one game. The ruling had been challenged by Real Madrid. However, the RFEF stayed steadfast, defending the referee's ruling and the evidence in the match report and on film.
Now, the backup goalie will not play against Valencia this weekend, where he is probably going to be benched. Fran Gonzalez and Sunico, both from the youth team, might be called up as the matchday squad's third choice, with Sergio Mestre serving as a backup.
No Barcelona players or any other Real Madrid players were slapped with bans following the two flash moments in the closing stages of the game. When Vinicius Jr. and Lamie Yamal argued, even players who were not on the team were spotted shoving on the side of the field. The RFEF, however, determined that nothing that came to pass would justify further prohibitions.
ARSENAL STAR DROPS CONFIDENT TITLE HINT AFTER STRONG OPENING
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is targeting a historic Premier League and World Cup double with England this season. The winger believes it's a "doable" feat as the Gunners lead the title race.
Bukayo Saka - (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC)
According to Bukayo Saka, it is feasible for Arsenal and England to win both games this season. The season has started well for the Gunners under Mikel Arteta's leadership.
Arsenal leads the Premier League standings by four points at the moment and is starting to look like a title contender. Manchester City is only one point ahead of defending champions Liverpool, who are seven points behind.
Saka, however, is not only interested in winning at his club; he also hopes to succeed internationally. Manager Thomas Tuchel has stated that winning the trophy is his ambition for England, who have qualified for the World Cup in the USA next year.
Saka is optimistic about his club's and his nation's chances of winning. "Yeah, that is my prayer," he remarked in an interview with Sky Sports. It is possible, of course.