Man City Gains Title Race Edge Over Arsenal: A First-time Advantage This Season
Manchester City travels to London twice in four days this week to face Fulham and Tottenham, before returning next week for the Premier League season’s final game against West Ham.
Manchester City has only had three games this season when they can claim to have a fully fit squad, and each one comes with caveats.
There were no major injuries on the trip to Brentford, but Sergio Gomez was missing, as was Oscar Bobb the previous weekend against Wolves. Even with everyone fit, one outfield player would have to miss out, allowing Guardiola to select his strongest side. The other occasion was a Champions League home game against Real Madrid.
However, on that occasion, City concluded the night with injury and fitness concerns to Kevin De Bruyne, Manu Akanji and Manu Akanji, with Haaland missing two games as a result.
So it’s a relief to get through the Wolves game with no further injury concerns, and the squad can return to training this week with a clean bill of health. The Fulham trip this weekend could mark City’s first consecutive games without an injury concern since last season’s run-in 12 months ago.
Pep Guardiola gave his players a few days off between Saturday evening and Wednesday’s training session, allowing them to rest and relax before a busy final week of the Premier League season.
Some players travelled abroad for the final time this season, while others stayed close to home. City will prepare to face Fulham on Saturday at midday before returning to London on Tuesday to face Tottenham.
Guardiola’s squad has no injury or fitness concerns, which is boosted by having two fixtures in the previous 13 days, and it could not have come at a better time ahead of the season’s final three games.
Guardiola will want to settle on his strongest XI in time for the Spurs trip and the West Ham final, which could mean some rotation at Fulham. After the final day, the squad will have six days to recover and prepare for the FA Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley.
Guardiola will provide a more detailed squad update on Friday, when he previews the Fulham game.
Man City Gains Title Race Edge Over Arsenal: A First-time Advantage This Season
