Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Brightonvs.Man City

sportsmole.co.uk, 23 April 2024, 10:40
Manchester City are sweating over the fitness of star striker Erling Haaland ahead of Thursday's Premier League trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Haaland has been nursing a niggling muscle issue picked up in City's Champions League clash with Real Madrid last week, prior to their penalty-shootout loss, and he was forced to miss last Saturday's 1-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Pep Guardiola has admitted that he is not sure whether the Norwegian will be fit to feature against Brighton, and the same can be said for a few other first-team stars who are suffering with fatigue amidst City's hectic fixture schedule.

Bernardo Silva, who scored the winning goal against Chelsea last weekend, revealed after the match that he was "feeling his left hamstring" and "right calf", so he is set to be assessed ahead of kickoff, as is lynchpin Rodri, who recently admitted that he could do with a well-earned rest.

John Stones and Ruben Dias had their minutes managed last weekend as they played a half each in defence against Chelsea. Both players are in contention to start against Brighton, though, as is Josko Gvardiol who could replace Nathan Ake at left-back after watching on as an unused substitute last time out.

First-choice goalkeeper Ederson is expected to replace Stefan Ortega between the sticks, while Kyle Walker could be fit to start his third successive match at right-back since recovering from a hamstring injury; Rico Lewis is waiting in the wings should his services be required.

Mateo Kovacic could be called upon to link arms with Rodri in centre-midfield, while Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne are both expected to retain their places in the final third. Julian Alvarez could also start against up front if Haaland is not deemed fit to feature, but Jack Grealish - who sustained a knock against Chelsea - could make way for Jeremy Doku on the left flank.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Foden, De Bruyne, Doku; Alvarez

Top News

3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After suffering a rare home defeat in midweek, Roma will try to retain their grip on a top-five place in Serie A when welcoming Juventus to Stadio Olimpico on Sunday. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be looking to break a century-old club record when they welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Etihad Stadium for a Premier League clash on Saturday evening. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly entered the race for a soon-to-be free agent linked with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has provided a positive update on Antoine Semenyo's fitness ahead of Saturday's away meeting with Arsenal. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Kevin De Bruyne will be looking to break Cesc Fabregas's Premier League assist record when Manchester City welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to keep their hopes of securing the Scottish crown alive, Rangers will welcome Europe-chasing Kilmarnock to Ibrox Stadium for a Scottish Premiership clash on Sunday afternoon. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk European hopefuls Valencia will be bidding to bounce back from successive La Liga defeats when they continue their campaign at home to Alaves on Sunday evening. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly formulated a plan to pip Arsenal to the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt centre-back Willian Pacho this summer. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has shot down suggestions that the Gunners could be receptive to offers for one of their experienced attackers this summer. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Celta Vigo's battle to stay out of the La Liga relegation zone will continue on Sunday afternoon when they welcome European hopefuls Villarreal to the Estadio Municipal de Balaidos. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be looking to keep their Premier League title hopes alive when they welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Third will welcome second in La Liga on Saturday evening, as the reigning champions Barcelona head to the division's surprise package Girona. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Betis will be bidding to strengthen their grip on a European position in the La Liga table when they head to Estadio El Sadar on Sunday afternoon to tackle Osasuna. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Still gunning for a return to Europe, Fiorentina aim to continue their recent revival at the expense of relegation-threatened Hellas Verona on Sunday. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sevilla play host to relegation-threatened Granada in Sunday's La Liga gameweek 34 clash at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to take a massive step towards top-flight safety, Union Berlin and VfL Bochum will lock horns at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei on Sunday afternoon in the Bundesliga. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On Sunday, West Ham United Women will welcome Leicester Women to the Chigwell Construction Stadium for their final home game of the Women's Super League season. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk ARSENAL Gameweek 36 opponents: Bournemouth (H) Out: None Doubtful: Jurrien Timber (knee) Mikel Arteta quotes: "Yes. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Winless in their last five matches, AC Milan will aim to get back on track when they welcome Genoa to San Siro on Sunday evening. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel is reportedly determined to return to the Premier League this summer, which has placed Manchester United on red alert. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to continue their unlikely pursuit of a place in Europe next year, Heidenheim will welcome relegation-threatened Mainz 05 to Voith Arena for an all-important Bundesliga clash on Sunday evening. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both with four games left to save their Serie A status, relegation battlers Cagliari and Lecce meet in Sardinia on Sunday afternoon. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona head coach Xavi has said that Robert Lewandowski's future with the Catalan giants will be decided "at the end of the season". 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Empoli seek a third consecutive Serie A victory at Stadio Carlo Castellani when they welcome Frosinone in gameweek 35 action on Sunday. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Thibaut Courtois will make his first appearance of the season in Saturday's La Liga clash against Cadiz. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City Women will attempt to overcome a major obstacle in their title bid when they welcome Arsenal Women to the Joie Stadium on Sunday. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid could win the La Liga title this weekend with a victory over struggling Cadiz. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Requiring just one more point to wrap up the Dutch title, PSV Eindhoven will welcome Europe-chasing Sparta Rotterdam to Philips Stadion on Sunday afternoon for an Eredivisie clash. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has confirmed that the club missed out on their top centre-forward target during last summer's transfer window. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he wants one of his experienced midfielders who makes his side "better" to sign a new contract at the club.