Man City Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Cardiff

Sam Lee

Man City Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Cardiff image

Benjamin Mendy has been ruled out of Manchester City's game with Cardiff City on Saturday.

Mendy has been a key player for City so far this season but has missed their past two games with a bruised metatarsal, though it remains to be seen just how long he will be out for.


MAN CITY INJURIES


As well as doubts around Mendy, City will certainly be without Kevin De Bruyne (knee) and Claudio Bravo (Achilles).

Danilo is back in training following an ankle injury and will be in contention for a return to the match day squad in the coming games.

Benjamin Mendy Man City 12082018


MAN CITY SUSPENSIONS


Neither side have any suspensions.


MAN CITY POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP


City have played something like their usual 2017-18 4-3-3 formation in the past two games, although there are likely to be changes following the midweek defeat against Lyon.

Fabian Delph's place at left-back could come under threat following a poor performance, although that would most likely require moving Aymeric Laporte to left-back, despite the Frenchman's fine form at centre-back.

There have also been calls to rotate Fernandinho in and out of the side following a patchy showing against Lyon but he is likely to start at the back of midfield.

Pep Guardiola says Bernardo Silva's "natural position" is out wide but the Portugal international has looked impressive through the middle this season, and has been more influential than Ilkay Gundogan in that role.

Leroy Sane made his first start last weekend and was impressive off the bench in midweek and could be in line for a start. Sergio Aguero is likely to come in for Gabriel Jesus, who looks out of form.

Man City XI


CARDIFF TEAM NEWS


Harry Arter was withdrawn during defeat at Chelsea last weekend due to "dizziness and vomiting" and will have to be checked ahead of Saturday's game.

Aron Gunnarsson (knee) and Josh Murphy are in contention having returned to training ahead of the Chelsea game.


OPTA MATCH FACTS


  • This will be the third meeting between Cardiff and Man City in the Premier League, with the previous two encounters providing 11 goals – Cardiff winning 3-2 at home and losing 4-2 at the Etihad in 2013-14.
     
  • Cardiff City have won just one of their 14 Premier League games against the ‘big six’ sides (W1 D1 L12), losing each of their last 10 conceding 30 goals in the process.
     
  • Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 21 Premier League games against promoted sides (W16 D5) since a 0-1 defeat at Burnley in March 2015.
     
  • Cardiff are winless in their last nine Premier League matches (D3 L6) since a 1-0 win at Southampton in April 2014.
     
  • Man City have won eight of their last nine Premier League matches played immediately following a Champions League game, with the exception being a 2-3 home defeat against Manchester United in April.
     
  • Manchester City haven’t lost any of their last 31 Premier League games kicking off at 3pm on a Saturday (W27 D4), since a 0-1 home defeat against Stoke in August 2014.
     
  • Manchester City have the highest (89.8%) while Cardiff have the lowest (63.6%) passing accuracy in the Premier League this season. The Citizens have attempted 2111 more passes than the Welsh side this season (3462 to 1351).

TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME


Kick off is 15:00 GMT (10:00 ET) on Saturday. The game will not be shown on TV in the United Kingdom. It will be shown on NBC in the United States, and on various channels around the world.

Sam Lee

Sam Lee Photo