Manchester Metropolis welcome excessive flying Sunderland to the Etihad Stadium within the Premier League.
The Blues performed out an exhilarating match in opposition to Fulham on Tuesday night, surviving a late combat again to beat the Cottagers 5-4 in West London.
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Sunderland, in the meantime, have loved an impressive begin to the season below Regis Le Bris. They drew 1-1 in opposition to Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night time and are in sixth place, simply 5 factors behind Metropolis within the league desk.
Listed here are 5 issues to look out for as Metropolis host the Black Cats:
Direct attacking from Sunderland
Fulham posed Metropolis no finish of issues by getting the ball out to their wingers rapidly and dealing the ball to the top of the penalty space.
Even Leeds United, who’ve struggled vastly with scoring targets this season, induced issues by enjoying off a robust, bodily entrance two in Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
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The Blues have a serious weak spot in the mean time defensively (exemplified by the actual fact they’ve conceded six targets in two video games to Leeds and Fulham.)
Sunderland have harmful vast gamers in Enzo Le Payment, Bertrand Traore and Simon Adingra, and an honest pool of centre forwards together with Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor.
I can see the away aspect inflicting an actual concern in transitions, and notably given the collapses within the final two video games I don’t assume I can really feel assured on any scoreline up till the ultimate whistle.
Khusanov at proper again…
Matheus Nunes has had an excellent season, however had most likely his worst sport of the marketing campaign on Tuesday night.
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First Samuel Chukwueze then Kevin took the Portuguese worldwide to the cleaners, so I anticipate there’s an honest likelihood he’ll miss out on this sport.
Abdukodir Khusanov had a run of wonderful video games at first of the season on the best of Metropolis’s again 4. His tempo, aggressiveness and studying of the sport makes him a very good profile to play at full again, definitely in video games the place Metropolis want extra defensive safety.
He hasn’t performed within the Premier League since he went off injured on the finish of September in opposition to Arsenal, however I’d prefer to see him begin in opposition to Sunderland and hopefully look to work his manner again into the beginning XI.
… which suggests a large winger begins on the best
The principle unfavorable to beginning Khusanov at proper again is that he presents little or no attacking menace. A centre again by commerce, his crossing and determination making within the closing third is way inferior to Nunes, who has performed most of his profession as an attacking midfielder.
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Meaning with the intention to assault to their full capabilities, Metropolis have to start out a participant who’s snug hugging the touchline on the best hand aspect of the entrance three.
Savinho is the primary identify that springs to thoughts, however he has been in very poor type of late. The identical applies to Oscar Bobb, who hasn’t even made the final two matchday squads for Metropolis.
Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki have been the 2 gamers to function on that aspect most frequently just lately, however each are wasted doing touchline shifts and thrive when allowed free reign to float centrally.
Nunes is doubtlessly an typically having lined up there a couple of occasions final season, however Metropolis skipper Bernardo Silva might be the probably choice.
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The 31-year-old has been good just lately and is definitely Metropolis’s best choice off the best taking all issues into consideration.
Xhaka vs Nico within the center
Two of essentially the most underrated gamers within the Premier League this season will conflict on the Etihad on Saturday, and whichever will get the higher hand will nearly definitely have a giant impact on the result of the match.
A lot is being stated in regards to the type of Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo for Arsenal and Chelsea respectively, however with out Granit Xhaka and Nico Gonzalez Sunderland and Metropolis wouldn’t be as excessive within the desk as they’re.
Xhaka was appointed captain nearly upon arrival on the Black Cats. He has revolutionised their midfield and ensured that Sunderland have outperformed even essentially the most optimistic expectations of them heading into the season.
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Nico, in the meantime, has needed to step as much as the plate with Mateo Kovacic out till Easter with one other achilles harm and Rodri unable to remain match after recovering from an ACL harm final season.
Each are pivotal to their sides performing effectively and will probably be a very good battle between the 2 of them in the course of the park.
Haaland and Foden main Metropolis to victory
Proper now, Metropolis’s technique appears to be attempting their finest to outscore their opponents.
Sunderland have had some outstanding victories this season but in addition proven vulnerability when groups like Metropolis go at them.
In Foden and Erling Haaland, Metropolis have two of essentially the most in type gamers within the Premier League proper now, and I anticipate them to shine once more.
The away aspect will doubtless rating and make it nervous, however I anticipate the attacking high quality of the Metropolis supporting duo to hold Pep Guardiola’s aspect over the road.