Man City vs Sheffield Utd Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 English Premier League
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THE FACTS
When is Man City vs Sheffield Utd on and what time does it start? Man City vs Sheffield Utd will take place on Saturday 30th December, 2023 – 15:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Man City vs Sheffield Utd? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Man City vs Sheffield Utd on in the UK? Television rights for the Premier League in the UK are shared between Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Amazon Prime so it is worth checking their schedules for Man City vs Sheffield Utd
Where can I stream Man City vs Sheffield Utd n the UK? If Man City vs Sheffield Utd is televised, then it can be streamed on either Sky Go, discovery+ or Amazon Prime Video depending on who is broadcasting the match
THE LOWDOWN
MAN CITY
Man City earned just their second Premier League win in seven matches as they came from behind to defeat Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday evening. Despite that aforementioned poor run of results, City begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting in the top four and just five points off first place with a game-in-hand.
Their FIFA Club World Cup triumph in Saudi Arabia means that City have now suffered just one defeat in their last 16 matches across all competitions – which certainly eases concerns about their form. Their performances remain a little unconvincing, particularly defensively, as they strive for their usual consistent brilliance.
SHEFFIELD UTD
Chris Wilder’s appointment earlier this month sparked a slight improvement in performances against the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea, as well as a victory over Brentford. However, The Blades’ defeat at home to Luton on Boxing Day would seemingly appear to just be another nail in the coffin already.
That loss at home to The Hatters, in a game in which they conceded a 76th-minute equaliser via an own goal and then an 81st-minute winner by another own goal, followed on from their frustrating draw at title-challenging Aston Villa last weekend. They led until 97th minute of that match, when Nicolo Zaniolo’s struck late on.
THE TEAM NEWS
MAN CITY
Man City have come back from the arduous trip to Saudi Arabia for the FIFA Club World Cup and then a tough trip to Goodison Park in midweek where they came from behind to win with several key injury concerns.
Kevin De Bruyne is a long-term absentee but is nearing a return to the first-team, whilst the likes of Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland are expected to remain unavailable, and John Stones is a fresh injury concern. Defender Ruben Dias is also a doubt for this weekend due to illness.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol; Lewis, Rodri; Bernardo, Foden, Grealish; Alvarez
UNAVAILABLE: Stones (Injured), De Bruyne (Injured), Doku (Injured), Haaland (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Dias (Illness)
SHEFFIELD UTD
Chris Wilder has come into Sheffield Utd and improved performances but he could do with some key defenders returning from injury. Chris Basham is out for the season but John Egan is expected to return mid-way through next month.
Both of those players remain on a fairly long injury list that includes the likes of Tom Davies and Daniel Jebbison. James McAtee is ineligible for this one against his parent club, whilst Anel Ahmedhodzic and Gustavo Hamer are suspended.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Foderingham; Baldock, Robinson, Trusty; Bogle, Norwood, Souza, Lowe; Ben Slimane, Archer, Brooks
UNAVAILABLE: Egan (Injured), Basham (Injured), Ahmedhodzic (Suspended), Davies (Fitness), Jebbison (Injured), Hamer (Suspended), McAtee (Ineligible)
QUESTIONABLE: Norrington-Davies (Fitness), Brewster (Fitness)
THE PREDICTION
The cliche suggests that there are no easy games in the Premier League but this clash at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon should do its best to disprove that notion. City have yet to really convince again this season, despite seemingly remaining likely to retain their title – and yet are the top scorers with 43 goals in 18 matches. Sheffield Utd have been a lot more stubborn and a little more enterprising since Wilder’s return but this will surely be a case of simple damage limitation for the visitors.
TIP: MAN CITY TO WIN & OVER 2.5 GOALS
