Manchester Metropolis will welcome Andoni Iraola’s high-flying Bournemouth facet to the Etihad Stadium for a field workplace Premier League fixture this Sunday.
Metropolis want to bounce again after final weekend’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa, and there’s excellent news for the Cityzens, with Erling Braut Haaland match and able to return to motion.
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The Norwegian striker picked up a knock late within the recreation at Villa Park and missed Metropolis’s midweek 3-1 victory in opposition to Championship strugglers Swansea Metropolis.
Nonetheless, supervisor Pep Guardiola confirmed throughout his that the Premier League high scorer is obtainable for choice.
When requested if Haaland would play, Guardiola responded with a easy however reassuring “Yeah”.
One other key determine nearing a return is midfielder Rodri, who hasn’t featured because the win over Brentford earlier than the October worldwide break.
Guardiola revealed that the Spaniard is again in competition however stopped wanting confirming whether or not he’ll begin this weekend’s conflict in opposition to Villa.
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“I feel he’ll be prepared to assist,” Guardiola stated. “I don’t know if from the start, however hopefully he could be with us. He’s been out a number of occasions, and we all know how essential he’s for us.”
Metropolis will want all their key gamers firing in opposition to a Bournemouth facet that has been one of many Premier League’s early surprises.
The Cherries at present sit second within the desk with 18 factors from their first 9 video games, a exceptional achievement for Iraola’s crew, contemplating they misplaced a plethora of key gamers over the summer time.
However the Etihad has been a fortress on this fixture. Metropolis have gained all eight Premier League conferences with Bournemouth at residence, scoring 31 objectives and conceding solely 5.
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Nonetheless, Guardiola isn’t underestimating his opponents. When requested how far Bournemouth can go this season, he saved his response temporary however respectful.
“That’s a query for Iraola,” he stated. “I’d say it’s simply 9 video games, but additionally in earlier seasons, they’re constant. The crew, supervisor, gamers, a troublesome opponent, however we all know that.”