Manchester City return to Premier League action this weekend after an important 2-1 Champions League victory over Real Madrid in midweek
Everything you need to know about Manchester City’s next five fixtures and their rivals ahead of this weekend’s Premier League action…
- Manchester City: Their upcoming run includes two challenging fixtures, starting with Crystal Palace at home this weekend (December 14) before hosting West Ham on December 20.
- After Christmas: An away trip to Nottingham Forest on December 27 will be followed by a visit to Sunderland on New Year’s Day. Chelsea on January 4 rounds off this five-game stretch.
- Arsenal: The Gunners face a demanding run of fixtures, starting with Wolves this weekend (December 13) and Everton the following weekend (December 20).
- Before New Year: They then host Brighton at the Emirates on December 27 before a crucial clash with Aston Villa on December 30. A trip to Bournemouth on January 4 rounds off this five-game stretch.
- Aston Villa: Villa faces arguably the toughest run of fixtures, with consecutive away games against title rivals Chelsea and Arsenal at the end of the year.
- Tough tests: This Sunday, however, they travel to West Ham before hosting Manchester United on December 21. They then face back-to-back away trips to Chelsea and Arsenal on December 27 and 30.
- Rodri injury: Pep Guardiola will need as many players fit and firing over the busy Christmas and New Year period, and his update on Rodri earlier this week isn’t too promising, with an expected return date of January now more realistic. He said: “When he comes back, he has to make a pre-season. He cannot play 90 minutes, 90 minutes, 90 minutes. When you injure your ACL, your body is completely different.”
- Stones mystery: John Stones was not in the squad for the win over Sunderland and Guardiola confirmed after the game that he was missing through injury. The centre-half missed the win over Real Madrid too, having not trained on Tuesday.
