Pep Guardiola revealed Erling Haaland is an injury doubt ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League meeting with Brentford on Saturday afternoon. The 22-year-old damaged a ligament in his foot, causing him to miss three of City’s last four games in all competitions, so he might not be risked against the Bees.
Guardiola said in Friday’s pre-match press conference: “We will see (if he’ll play). After (Friday’s) training, we will see. (He is) a little bit (better).” Haaland has scored 23 goals in 17 games this season, so City won’t want to leave him out if they can help it.
But Saturday’s clash at the Etihad Stadium is their last before the winter break and Julian Alvarez is more than capable of deputising, so it makes sense to rest Haaland. The Sky Blues’ next game after Brentford is against Liverpool on December 20, so the Norwegian international has plenty of time to recover.
Alvarez has scored seven goals with two assists from eight starts in all competitions, contributing five goals in his last three games, so he’s more than capable of firing against Brentford.
There’s little need to make Haaland’s condition worse if he’s not 100% going into matchday, so it would be surprising if he starts up front.
In other news, Man City are big favourites to pick up all three points against Brentford
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