15th Dec 2018 | Premier League
Champions Face Home Nemesis
Pep Guardiola is facing something of an injury crisis with key players picking up knocks at the same time. Some of the patched up from Wednesday night in the Champions League will have to go again for Saturday's early kick-off.
A good test of how formidable Manchester City truly are is to ask which player would they miss the most in the event of a prolonged injury. They have high-quality cover all over the team but I would agree with the assessment that Fernandinho is possibly the key man because they don’t have a back-up in that role of the same calibre.
The Brazilian is consequently being worked into the ground and if he is fit for Saturday it’s doubtful he can be at his best.
The champions have coped admirably without Kevin De Bruyne for most of this season, perhaps due to David Silva, but crucially both will be missing for this afternoon’s visit of Everton.
That could lead to a rare lack of creative spark in the middle of the park and the Toffees consequently become great value to share the spoils at the Etihad for a 4th time in a row at best odds of 13/2 with Bet365.
Marco Silva’s side are progressing nicely having only lost 1 of their last 6 league outings. That solitary defeat came courtesy of a freak 96th minute goal conceded at Anfield - in reality they are capable of holding the very best teams on their day.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 06:49 15th Dec, 2018 but subject to change